In 2021, two workers were involved in a near miss incident beneath a swinging suspended load while decommissioning part of a monopod offshore platform in the northern waters of Western Australia. The workers were cutting through the monopod’s main leg (caisson) when the topside, which was rigged to a crane on a vessel, unexpectedly moved and detached from the supporting monopod and swung over the workers. The crane operator quickly manoeuvred the topside away from the workers, lowering it into the water to control its motion. The workers disembarked from the main leg to the designated crew safety vessel without incurring any injuries. The topside platform was safely retrieved onto the crane vessel.
References and further information
Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
- Decommissioning and management of ageing assets: Guide
- Decommissioning of petroleum and geothermal energy property, equipment and infrastructure in Western Australian onshore areas and State coastal waters: Policy
- Decommissioning of petroleum and geothermal energy property, equipment and infrastructure in Western Australian onshore areas and State coastal waters: Guideline
National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)
- Decommissioning compliance strategy 2024-2029
- Planning for proactive decommissioning
- Ageing assets and life extension
- Complying with your decommissioning obligations