Man Falls from Derrick Ladder -- Fatality
Effective Date: 7/9/1975
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 025
July 9, 1975
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Man Falls from Derrick Ladder -- Fatality
A fatal accident occurred recently on an offshore platform workover rig when a man fell from the derrick.
The derrickman was climbing the derrick ladder to install a snatch block in the upper portion of the derrick. He was carrying the snatch block with his left hand and holding onto the rung of the ladder with his right hand while stepping to the next higher rung. His foot slipped off the ladder and he lost his grip and fell sixty feet to the deck below.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident, the operator has taken the following action:
Advised their workover rig contractors to establish guidelines covering:
1. Use of safety belts while climbing.
2. Limiting the carrying of tools and materials while climbing.
[signature] D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area