IOGP fatal incident report

Incident description:

Drilling contractor (after well testing) was lifting their surge tank to load it on the trailer. One person went up the tank to put the slings in the crane hook. Injured person was standing nearby and was not visible to the crane operator. Proper tagline was tied with the surge tank to lift the tank hand free. The banks man was on the other side to give signal to the crane. At that moment they were aligning the trailer to load the tank. Meanwhile this incident happened. The person got caught in between the surge tank and the catwalk and his chest and head was injured badly.

What Went Wrong:

Root causes / underlying causes - (job and system factors) I. It is accepted that lifting operations are done without involving all affected parties in the pre-job safety meetings and that banks men do not wear high visibility vests. While training records certifications and standards are available, there appears to be little focus of applying the acquired competencies, standards and systems during demobilising operations. II. Lifting is accepted as routine, lifting plans appear generic, and it is accepted that lifts are done without a lifting plan. The role of lifting Supervisor and Banksman are not clearly distinguished in the drilling contractor Lifting Standards. The role descriptions are loose. III. It is accepted, that loads are attached to the crane and pre-tensioned, although the area is not cleared for the lift and the crane hook is misaligned with the centre of the load. IV. Competencies of own staff and third parties are accepted based on certificates, effective checks on real competency is not carried out – a lack of competence is not identified during “routine” supervision. V. It is expected that crane operators follow instructions. ASK and STOP work appears not to be encouraged.

Corrective Actions:

1.Ensure that drilling contractor strengthen role descriptions for Lifting Supervisor, Banksman, Rigger, Slinger in the Lifting Standard. 2.Ensure that drilling contractor manage Concurrent Operations and Strengthen Lifting and Loading Supervision during rig moves. Evaluate 3rd party support / deploying additional staff, fully trained and competent to supervise Lifting and Loading operations during Mob, De-Mob and Rig Move operations. 3.Ensure that drilling contractor re-evaluate competence of own and third party staff on lifting and loading and retrain where required. 4.Ensure that activities are fully clarified before starting a job and that everybody has the right to STOP a Job (ASK and STOP work for Company Life Saving Rules). 5.Ensure strengthening of contractor and sub-contractor management, that overdue staff are highlighted on the daily report, escalated and taken off duty. 6.Ensure that drilling contractor evaluates redesign of Surge Tank Frame for vertical lift slings to stay attached in the original position during transportation.