Monday Accident & Lessons Learned: IOGP Safety Alert – Dropped Object
IOGP SAFETY ALERTDROPPED OBJECT: 1.3 POUND LINK PIN FELL 40 FEET
A drilling contractor was tripping pipe out of the hole and a link pin came loose from the hook, falling 40 feet (12.2 metres) to the deck below. The pin bounced and struck a glancing blow to the left jaw/neck area of a worker. The link pin is 1 inch by 5 inches (2.5cm x 12.7cm) and weighs 1.3 pounds (0.6 kg).
What Went Wrong?
The type of keeper pin used on the dropped object did not adequately secure the pin. The link pin is threaded and uses a cotter pin to prevent the pin body from backing out. The pin was secured with a coil “diaper pin” instead of a cotter pin.
Corrective Actions and Recommendations:
Safety pins that can be knocked out must not be used for lifting operations or securing equipment overhead.
Follow cotter pin installation guidelines:
- Both points on a cotter pin must be bent around the shaft.
- Cotter pins are a single-use instrument and should never be re-used.
safety alert number: 271
IOGP Safety Alerts http://safetyzone.iogp.org/
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, neither the IOGP nor any of its members past present or future warrants its accuracy or will, regardless of its or their negligence, assume liability for any foreseeable or unforeseeable use made thereof, which liability is hereby excluded. Consequently, such use is at the recipient’s own risk on the basis that any use by the recipient constitutes agreement to the terms of this disclaimer. The recipient is obliged to inform any subsequent recipient of such terms.
This document may provide guidance supplemental to the requirements of local legislation. Nothing herein, however, is intended to replace, amend, supersede or otherwise depart from such requirements. In the event of any conflict or contradiction between the provisions of this document and local legislation, applicable laws shall prevail.
