Our Cranes and Lifting Working Group are delighted with the success of their inaugural event in October, with the sector well-represented by speakers from overseas, the offshore regulator (NOPSEMA) and Working Group members.  Cutting edge technology such as DROPS digitalisation systems, virtual reality and AI Red Zone Warning Systems showed that this sector is embracing new methods to tackle age-old challenges.

The theme of this event was the industry directly responding to current HSE data, with Falling Objects, Lifting, Rigging and Load Restraint Activities a focus for the event, as the two areas for identified for high potential incidents.

Opened by our MC and co-host Ruano Stumph (Regional Director – Oceania, Axess Offshore Australia) who handed over for a very sobering Safety Moment from Simon Walker.  Simon brought in the 5kg hook latch from the hipo he presented. He then shared a story from almost a quarter of a century ago. He told a story of real courage by advocating for safety on a. construction yard job, where he had to stop the job and argue for drop netting (now-standard today) to be put in place - which ultimately proved a life saver only a few days later.

Yoth Drumrongpol (Lead Mechanical Engineer, Beach Energy) then presented a dropped object incident from an onshore pumping station and the solutions the team had come up with.

Ricardo Freire (VP Asia-Pacific & Middle East, Axess Offshore Australia) then walked us from the past and into the future with his presentation ‘Dropped Object Management System – Digitalisation’.  This is the process Axess have developed to move from multiple Excel spreadsheets to a centralised and digital process. Whilst this represents a significant improvement in data management, he cautioned that people still need to physically do all the inspections comprehensively.

Our brilliant Keynote was Joachim van der Muelen (Secretary & Facilitator, DROPS Asia Chapter). He had the room mesmerised with his presentation on ‘AI-powered Red Zone Management – Successes and Pitfalls of Implementation’ including a powerful live demonstration, in situ, that showed the strengths and weaknesses of this technology.  Joachim then followed this up with a session on the value of having How to Implement a DROPS Program & the Role of Drops Focal Points, Champions & Wardens within an organisation.

Jake Schneider (Cranes & Lifting TA - Australia, Altrad Sparrows and event co-host) delivered one of the most moving presentations of the day.  Jake shared two personal very close calls from his career where a dropped object incident certainly failed lucky. It was clear the impact these events have had years later in Jake's unwavering passion to prevent these types of events re- occurring today.

Percy Dhanboora (Director | Regulatory Operations | Production – Safety, NOPSEMA), then shared the latest on performance-based legislation and the role of Australian and International standards and how this relates to lifting and rigging offshore.

Ruano then returned to close the event with a promotion of the Offshore Crane Inspection and Maintenance Competence Guideline and the Cranes and Lifting Working Group 2026 Work Plan.

The Working Group were thrilled with the outcome of the event, with Jake saying "It was beneficial to be able to gather industry professionals together and have insightful and meaningful conversations about a subject that is a leading cause of incidents across the oil and gas, mining and construction sectors. I’m looking forward to seeing further advances in technology and greater safety initiatives moving forward.”

Thank you to everyone involved, and to our sponsors Axess Offshore Australia and Altrad Sparrows.

If you are interested in joining our Cranes and Lifting Working Group, or helping with a Project, get in touch:  [email protected].

Members can view the event slide pack here.

Members can view a full recording of the event here.