Cause & Consequence
- Moving, flying or falling object
Incident Location
Onshore construction/rig repair yard
Incident Activity
Catering / hotel services
Incident Info Source
IADC
Specific Incident Equipment
Wire Rope Snake and drilling line
Lessons Identified
Not following procedure:
A procedure is in place for the "Installation and use of a Lewis Snake".
One step in the procedure is to "make sure the cable is clean and free of grease and oil in the areas
that will be loaded into the snake grip”. The manufacture procedure says: “The grips cannot grip an
oily line no matter how hard they are compressing or squeezed. A high grade degreaser and heavy
duty disposable towels are recommended for this task."
Hazard not identified:
This task has been performed by the crew many times before but the
change was the line was new and coated with an oily type preservative. No one who was spoken to
during the investigation was aware that cleaning the line was critical.
Hose clamp failure:
When the tape covering the hose clamps was removed after the incident two
Incident Recommendations
Rig personnel were instructed to follow the snake grip manufacture’s recommended “Band It® Clamp” so
that the preferred method of securing the snake is used.
Distributed an internal safety alert to all rigs so that everyone is aware of the hazards of using a snake
with oily or grease coated drill line.
Reinforced to all rigs to follow standard operating procedures so that all of the agreed and necessary
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