OIL INDIA LIMITED(For internal use only)

Ref No: S&E/S/17/888                      SAFETY ALERT                             Date: 21.06.2014                                                             

Alert No. 02 of 2014Title                                  : Fatal AccidentLocation                       : Drilling InstallationActivity Type              : (Result/outcome): Fatality

WHAT HAPPENED?During a drilling operation, while opening Kelly from the drill pipe string for a new drill pipe connection with rotary torque, the break out rig tong used for jamming, hit the rig man who seemed to have entered the tong

swing area. The rig man sustained injury on his right arm and later succumbed to his injury. 

CONSEQUENCES: ·         One FatalityWHAT CAUSED IT? Direct causes : Unsafe Act:

1. The deceased stepped into tong swing radius, which otherwise is an identified hazard zone (Hazard : Reverse backlash of tongs (backbiting) during spinning out operations, No one should stand in the red zone (see Diagram 1)

2. Use of rotary torque to crack open the joint instead of using both the tongs.

Unsafe Condition : 1. There is very little space left between the tongs when both the tongs are in jammed position with back up

lines fully stretched which indicates the length of the backup lines were longer which resulted larger swing arc (the tool pusher and driller).

Indirect causes : Personal factor:

1. Inherent hazards could not be visualised by concerned persons on the floor as well as the deceased and hence he stepped into tong swing radius, which otherwise, is an identified hazard zone.

2. All the floor men were not aware that the tong swing area is an identified hazardous zone.3. Improper supervision by the driller and allowing the unsafe act to take place.

Job factor:1.      Deviation of SOP.

ROOT CAUSES:1.     Inadequate Co-ordination and proper Communication.2.     Inadequate of training.

CORRECTIVE ACTION : RECOMMENDATION AND REMEDIAL MEASURES:

1. Intensive training on Safe Operating Procedure in a time bound schedule.2. Short duration onsite training and sensitization for the hazards on continuous basis.3. Effective tool box talk and Job Safety Analysis. Safe operating procedure must be included in the tool

box talk as one of the topics topic. 

The corrective action in this alert is an attempt to address the incident. It is not exhaustive. Suggestion if any, may be mailed to safety@oilindia.in

THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS INCIDENT COULD PREVENT SIMILAR ONES FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.“This material is presented for information purposes only”