2. Workgroup Members

3. DROPS International DROPS Members / Workpacks DROPS Training

4. DROPS Forums Next DROPS Forums are scheduled as follows: Thursday November 3 rd : Perth, Western Australia Wednesday December 1 st : Aberdeen, UK Thursday December 8 th : Houston, USA

5. Industry Exchanges Marine Sector (MSF) Mining Sector (BHP) Construction Sector (Harsco) Power and Utilities Association of Electricity Producers

6. DROPS Focus Groups and Products

7. DROPS Enquiries and Requests

8. Request for DROPS Feedback (1) ‘Tri-Loc’ locks the nut to the bolt threads with three deformations [locking elements] at the top of the nut.

9. Request for DROPS Feedback (2) Tri-Loc is not a design specifically noted as best practice in Reliable Securing Rev 2, but it does appear to meet our recommendations for ‘All metal lock nuts’ which state: “All-metal lock nuts are recommended for use on all bolt dimensions. This type of nut locks through the threaded section or top of the nut being deformed, the top of the nut being split or the nut having a toothed ring under the collar.” The manufacturer requests feedback and ideally our confirmation that Tri-Loc is an acceptable lock nut according to the recommendations and spirit of Reliable Securing…

10. Safety Alert (MSF) Dropped Object 25 th August 2011 When landing a chemical tank onto a supply vessel, a Pressure Relief valve located adjacent to the tank's main lid fell from the tank onto the deck of the vessel. This dropped object could have caused considerable injury or fatality. The tank was quarantined and the client notified. Investigation revealed that the valve must have been subject to unauthorised removal and replacement, during which it had been cross-threaded thereby weakening the connection sufficiently to allow it to loosen and fall.

11. Safety Alert (MSF) Dropped Object cont’d The valve is only meant to be removed during periodic inspection by a qualified inspector. The investigation also revealed that it was difficult if not impossible for any quayside gantry to have spotted the fault. The Supplier is adding an extra visual check to their procedure and is investigating ways to either isolate the valves or physically mark them as “only to be removed by qualified inspectors”. Offshore are reminded that tote tank venting should only be carried out using the correct equipment fitted, not the Pressure Relief Valve.

12. www. dropsonline.org