Alert-Lifting01

MIDDLE EAST/ASIA-PACIFIC/CIS

Flash Report

MEAP-HSEFR- 001 9 July 1999 Page 1 of 2 Distribution: All Halliburton locations Generated by:Edmund Calvert-Harrison

Reviewed by: R.V.Hawkings

SUBJECT: LOST TIME CHEST INJURY SUSTAINED DURING LIFTING OPERATIONS

PURPOSE: To alert all facilities to the dangers inherent in lifting operations

SUPPORTING INFORMATION:

While rigging up for a well servicing operation offshore, three Halliburton personnel attempted to move a diesel transfer pump closer to a 100bbl pressurised surge tank. Earlier it had been found that the suction hose had been torn off the 100bbl surge tank, possibly during loading and offloading operations, and the tank had been sent back to shore for repair.

The repaired surge tank returned and was placed on deck at approximately 2330. The Service Co-ordinator was assisted by a Senior Service Operator and a Service Operator II in connecting the tank to the equipment previously arranged. It was noticed that the connecting lines were obstructing a walkway and it was decided to move the diesel transfer pump approximately four feet to clear the lines from the walkway.

The roustabout crew was not available at this time of night and so the three-man Halliburton crew began to reposition the diesel pump with the assistance of the crane operator. The crane operator could not see the load, which was located between larger pieces of equipment, from his position on the opposite side of the deck. The Service Co-ordinator elected to act as signalman while the other two employees acted as riggers and stood between the pipe racks on which the equipment was positioned.

When the diesel transfer pump was lifted off the deck, there was an immediate unanticipated movement of the load. The Senior Service Operator who was holding onto the pump with his hands was pulled into the pipe rack sustaining injury to his chest. The Service Operator II, who was between the pump and the surge tank, jumped out of the way of the pump, which was moving in his direction. The swinging pump hit the deck and came to rest shortly after being lifted.

The Senior Service Operator received medical treatment and was diagnosed as having a fractured rib. CONTROLS:

1. Lifting should not be attempted by Halliburton crews unless absolutely necessary.

2. Tag lines must be used for all lifts. A sudden movement of the load abruptly pulled the Senior Service

Operator into the piperack because he was not able to let go of the pump fast enough. The Service Operator II was also positioned incorrectly and could have easily been crushed between the load and the piperack if the load had moved in his direction.

3. Arrange training in lifting, rigging & slinging and hand signals for all field personnel. The Halliburton crew

was not aware that the crane boom was wrongly positioned and would cause the load to move sideways when it was lifted.

4. Direct the workforce on proper use of Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and review existing JSAs for practical

applicability. A general lifting Job Safety Analysis was available at the base facility but was not present on location. The Operator was not aware of the JSA.

Flash Report – Lifting Incident Page 2 of 2 5. Examine equipment and attachments to determine how to protect them against damage during transport.

In this incident, the damage to the surge tank caused the final preparations to commence at a late hour when the roustabout crew was not available to make the lift. The delay also placed the crew in a compromising situation where they could not wait and needed to proceed in order to get their equipment ready.