Construction Accident -- Fatality
Effective Date: 3/5/1981
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 099
March 5, 1981
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Construction Accident -- Fatality
Contract employees were installing a stairway landing between the cellar deck and the boat landing of an offshore platform when the landing fell 21 feet, injuring one man and causing the death of another.
An investigation revealed the following three unsafe procedures as the cause of this accident:
1. Improper rigging -- Tug line had no eye fitting and only 2 cable clamps.
2. No flotation devices -- Men were working over water without work vests.
3. No safety belts -- Men were working outside the handrails of the platform without safety rigging.
In order to reduce the chance of a recurrence of this type of accident, the operator has issued a letter to all approved contractors stating its policy on safety, especially with regard to equipment rigging, flotation devices, and safety rigging. This letter also states that any violation will result in the offender being sent back to the shore base.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Deputy Conservation Manager
Offshore Operations Support
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region