Fatality -- Crane Accident
Effective Date: 3/11/1977
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 057
March 11, 1977
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fatality -- Crane Accident
An accident during crane operations recently occurred on an offshore platform tender drilling rig resulting in fatal injuries to a roustabout.
The crane had picked up a bundle of tubing on the tender and had moved it to the platform catwalk. A roustabout who could not be seen by the crane operator was aligning the tubing. As soon as the load was aligned properly it was lowered to the catwalk striking the roustabout in the back and pinning him beneath it.
To prevent a recurrence of this accident the operator is taking the following action:
1. A flagman is now positioned on the platform any time equipment is being transferred by the tender crane to and from the platform.
2. The flagman is always to be in visual contact with the crane operator.
3. Both the crane operator and flagman have two-way radios.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area