Crane Accident -- Fatality
Effective Date: 2/24/1975
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 020
February 24, 1975
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Crane Accident--Fatality
A recent accident occurred on a drilling rig while offloading a casingspider. The crane operator was booming down when the boom began to fall. Theclutch was moved to the neutral position and the brake applied. The boom lineparted and the falling line and ball on the fast line struck a roustabout,inflicting fatal injuries.
To attempt to prevent a recurrence of this type accident, the drillingcontractor is more closely following the recommendations of the cranemanufacturer in reconditioning and maintenance of the crane and is alsorequiring review of procedures for safe crane operations by all rig personnel.
Available publications containing information for use as guidelines for safecrane operations are as follows:
Offshore Operators Committee, Manual of Safe Practices in OffshoreOperations, Section XII, "Crane Safety Procedures," New Orleans,Louisiana.
American Petroleum Institute, API Recommended Practices on Care and Useof Oil- Field Equipment, RP 2D, Offshore Cranes, Dallas, Texas.
[signature] D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area