Van Oord scoops IADC Safety Award

At the IADC’s AGM in Budapest last month the association’s Safety Committee and Board of Directors selected Van Oord’s innovation from a field of eight nominations. The creator of the system, engineer Coen van den Berg accepted the award on behalf of Van Oord.

For use on Van Oord’s fleet of trailing suction hopper dredgers, the Debris Removal Platform transforms the existing technique of manually removing debris from the trailing draghead to an automated system. During dredging debris can fill the trailing draghead. When brought back onboard, trapped debris will fall onto the deck. Traditional manual handling of the debris runs the risk of personal injury.

The Debris Removal Platform allows crew to safely remove debris from the deck without the use of shovels and brooms. After removing non-recyclables, a hydraulically driven bulldozer blade simply pushes the debris over the side of the vessel. Crew can stand up straight next to the platform as the blade pushes the debris. Safety benefits, in addition to the elimination of manual handling, include covered rotating parts, a safety railing as well as no lifting and rigging operation.

The IADC Safety Award is intended to encourage the development of safety skills on the job and to reward people and companies demonstrating diligence in safety awareness in the performance of their profession. Given every year, the award is a recognition of the exceptional safety performance demonstrated by a particular project, product, ship, team or employees.

By Larz Bourne