Fatality -- Falling Object
Effective Date: 11/5/1976
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 051
November 5, 1976
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fatality -- Falling Object
A derrickman on an offshore jackup drilling rig recently received fatal injuries when struck by a falling object.
The rig had completed the installation of drive pipe. The derrickman was 49 feet below the rig floor assisting a welder who was bracing the drive pipe to the well jacket. Two fillers were being pulled out of the mouse hole with a hoisting line attached only to the lower filler. When the top filler cleared the rig floor it rolled free and fell through the open rotary hole striking the derrickman below.
In order to prevent a recurrence of this accident, the operator will take the following action:
1. Only one filler of the correct length will be used.
2. All open holes on the rig floor will be covered during work activities.
[signed] Jack Hendricks
for D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area