OSHA Fatal Facts, Oil Patch No. 3-2012

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

ACCIDENT SUMMARY Accident Type: . .............................Struck by, falling object, suspended load Weather Conditions/Time of Day: ...................................... Hot, dry/Day shift Type of Operation: . ...................................................................Changing bales Size of Work Crew: ..............................................................................................8 Worksite Inspection Conducted by Employer: . ........................................ Yes Competent Safety Monitoring on site: ........................................................ No Safety and Health Program in Effect: ......................................................... Yes Training and Education for Employees: . .................................................... Yes Job Title of Deceased Employee: ................................................... Floor hand Age/Sex of Deceased Employee: . .............................................................25/M Time on Job: . ............................................................................................2 Years Short Service Employee (<1 Year): ............................................................... No Time at Task: . ............................................................................................. 1 hour 18-foot bales dropped to the rig floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT At the time of the accident, two 18-foot, elevator bales weighing 2,600 pounds each were being lifted onto the rig floor using the air hoist. A braided wire rope sling consisting of a hook and eye was run through the eye of the bales to lift them onto the floor. As the bales were lowered to the rig floor, two employees maneuvered them into position using their hands and bodies. The bales struck the rig floor, causing the cable sling to come off resulting in the bales falling to the floor striking two employees, fatally injuring one.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION Braided wire rope sling showing signs of wear. 1. Employees must be kept clear of lifted and suspended loads. See OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(9). 2. When rigging loads to be lifted with slings make sure that the sling will remain securely attached to the load throughout the entire lift. You Have a Voice in the Workplace See OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(6). The Occupational Safety and Health Act 3. Use tag lines to keep workers clear and to control lifted and of 1970 affords workers the right to a safe suspended loads. workplace (see OSHA’s Worker Rights page, 4. When hoisting and moving the load, there should be no sudden www.osha.gov/workers.html). Workers also acceleration or deceleration. have the right to file a complaint with OSHA 5. Ensure that all wire rope slings are inspected by a competent if they believe that there are either violations person for damage each day before use and additionally as of OSHA standards or serious workplace conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings must be hazards. immediately removed from service. See 29 CFR 1910.184(d). 6. Remove wire rope slings from service if they show kinking, How OSHA Can Help crushing, bird caging or other damage resulting in distortion. See For questions or to get information or OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.184(f)(5)(iii). advice, to report an emergency, report a 7. Provide worker training emphasizing the following: fatality or catastrophe, or to file a a. how to properly rig loads; confidential complaint, contact your nearest b. handling suspended loads; OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov or call our c. sling inspection criteria (what to look for); and toll-free number at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), d. how to identify, prevent and protect themselves against struck TTY 1-877-889-5627. It’s confidential. by, falling object, and suspended load hazards on the rig floor.

Note: The described case was selected as being representative of improper work More Information practices which likely contributed to a fatality from an accident. The accident prevention recommendations do not necessarily reflect the outcome of any legal Upstream oil and gas safety and health: aspects of the incident case. OSHA encourages your company or organization to www.osha.gov/SLTC/oilgaswell duplicate and share this information. drilling/index.html OSHA standards and regulations: www.osha.gov/law-regs.html OSHA publications: www.osha.gov/publications OSHA’s free On-site Consultation services: www.osha.gov/consultation Training resources: www.osha.gov/dte/index.html

DEP FF-3616 12/2012