Injury Due to Failure to Coordinate Activities
Effective Date: 12/15/1983
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 122
December 15, 1983
Injury Due to Failure to Coordinate Activities
A man was raised to the drill pipe racking arm by means of the air tugger to prepare for painting operations. A drill pipe connection was made and the air tugger was activated to pick up a drill pipe single and place it in the mouse hole for the next drill pipe connection. The man who activated the air tugger was not aware that the air tugger line was in use and pulled the suspended man into the finger board causing injuries to his back and abdomen. He was flown to a hospital and disabled for six months.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident, the operator will install a sign on the air tugger control that must be removed to activate the tugger. The Minerals Management Service recommends that the entire work area be surveyed before using the air tugger and that all operations in a work area be coordinated to assure worker safety.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Regional Supervisor
Rules and Production