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Content: Pagemasters:
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Gulf
of Mexico Region Injuries – 2003 (31 incidents – 43 injuries total) 16-Jan-2003 – Century Exploration Company (also listed as Fire, Explosion, and Fatality)
Remarks: A Bell 206L-1 single engine helicopter was destroyed on impact with the platform. The helicopter crash landed on top of a generator skid on the platform deck and caught fire. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured and a third passenger was fatally injured. The three men were seen bailing out of the aircraft after impact. There was a second explosion and the fire became more intense. Platform personnel began to fight the fire with 30 lb. and 150 lb. dry chemical extinguishers and water. The NTSB cited the pilot’s improper approach and settling with power as probable causes (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports). Damage to the platform is estimated at $1,132,475. 01-Feb-2003 – GOM Shelf LLC (also listed as Fire)
Remarks: An employee working on an open gas line ignited a fire. Prior to the incident the employee had removed a one-inch gas vent line but failed to check for gas fumes and plug the open end of the pipe which continued to leak gas. The employee was dismantling a second one- inch gas vent line at the time of the accident. He apparently hit the hammer union on the second vent line with a non-brass hammer causing a spark which ignited the fire. The employee received first and second degree burns to his face and hands. 03-Feb-2003 – Transworld Exploration and Production, Inc.
Remarks:. A contract employee working on the back deck of a M/V was pinched between the crane and the tugger frame. His hip and left buttock were crushed. 02-Mar-2003 – El Paso Production Company
Remarks: A contract employee was dismantling a lubricator and putting it in a basket at the time of the incident. He was braced between the basket and the lubricator for leverage and loosening a flange bolt when a set of elevators in the basket shifted, pinning his right ring finger and little finger. He was taken to hospital where a pin was inserted in the broken ring finger. 02-Mar-2003 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.
Remarks: While pushing out a short drill collar onto the pipe handling skate, the employee signaled to lower the gate. As the gate started down, the employee’s foot slipped over the guard and was pinched between the guard and gate, smashing the steel toe of his boot and peeling skin off two toes. 03-Mar-2003 – W & T Offshore, Inc.
Remarks: A contract employee was working in the bottom of the rig mud pit tank when he was struck on the head by a falling metal object. He was not wearing a hard hat at the time. He was wearing a full face mask which was not compatible with his hard hat. 04-Mar-2003 – Union Oil Company of California (also listed as Fire)
Remarks: The incident occurred when the contract operator was attempting to equalize pressure on a meter on the test separator to make a plate change. In changing the plate, the operator failed to properly secure the hold down bar on the meter which allowed gas to escape. The escaping gas rose upward where it was ingested into the generator directly above the separator causing the engine to backfire and igniting a back flash fire down to the gas leak. The individual said he was blown backwards several feet; he sustained injuries to his lower back, neck, and right forearm while trying to exit the area. Onboard personnel utilized a 30 lb. fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire at the meter. Property damage is estimated at $750. 04-Apr-2003 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: The crew were pulling the riser and BOP’s. An employee was using an air impact gun to disconnect one joint of marine riser from the riser running tool. While doing so, the elevators moved on the riser shaft pinning the employee’s hand between the elevators and the air impact gun. 06-May-2003 – Hunt Oil Company (also listed as Fire)
Remarks: The operator opened the back of a production panel to make some adjustments. When he opened the door approximately three inches, a flash fire occurred that lasted only 2-3 seconds. Subsequent inspection indicated several tubing leaks that provided a fuel source for the fire. Also found was evidence that oily rags had been stored inside the panel, the panel vent had been sealed with a plastic plug, and the panel had not been properly grounded. Spontaneous combustion of the oil rags is thought to have caused a smoldering fire which consumed the oxygen within the sealed panel. When the operator opened the panel, the inrush or air provided enough oxygen to ignite the gas which had accumulated inside the sealed panel. The operator sustained 2nd degree burns on his face and hands and was evacuated to the hospital. 08-May-2003 – Hunt Petroleum (AEC), Inc.
Remarks: Upon hooking up electrical connectors from the rig power source to the mud logging unit, one of the mud loggers grabbed an armor shielded electrical cable that plugs into the unit and was shocked with 277 volts of electricity. 16-May-2003 – BP Exploration & Production Inc. (also listed as Fire)
Remarks: The rig welder was in the process of cutting pad eye holds in the casing from the inside of the pipe outward. A flash fire occurred inside the pipe, knocking the welder back away from the casing. The welder experienced bruises and superficial burns to his face and a cut on his forehead from his goggles. He was transported to UTMB in Galveston, treated, and released. 17-May-2003 – Energy Partners, Ltd.
Remarks: While tripping in the hole with a drill pipe, the next stand of pipe broke free from the retainer rack and became lodged under the top drive. A second stand of pipe bounced around and struck the shaker hand who sustained a broken jaw, fractured cheek bone, and needed several stitches. 21-May-2003 – Newfield Exploration Company
Remarks: While moving pipe to the pipe rack an employee was pinned between the pipe rack and a sling load of pipe. The employee suffered a broken leg and was flown to the local hospital. The employee was standing on top of the drill pipe waiting on the crane operator to lift two drill collars to be placed on the work boat. When the lift was made, the load swung pinning the employee and breaking his leg. 13-Jun-2003 – J. M. Huber Corporation
Remarks: A contract employee passed out while chipping with an air hammer. He was flown to the hospital and returned too work after 3 days. 07-Jul-2003 – Samedan Oil Corporation
Remarks: An Aerospatiale AS350BA single engine helicopter was on final approach and preparing to land on the platform. The helicopter was hovering 4 to 5 feet above the deck when the tail rotor struck the platform safety fence. The helicopter made 1.5 revolutions before contacting the deck and coming to rest in an upright position. The helicopter was occupied by the pilot and one contract employee. According to the MMS accident report, the employee sustained a minor injury (bruised leg). The NTSB cited the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the safety fence while landing as the probable cause (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports). 08-Jul-2003 – GOM Shelf LLC
Remarks: The crane operator was attempting to backload a refrigerator onto the deck of a motor vessel when the boom slipped and failed, shearing the boom dog and causing the load to free fall onto the deck. The deck hand sustained injuries to two arm tendons, four broken ribs, and a cracked pelvis as a result of the accident. Property damage to the crane, platform, and M/V are estimated at $250,000. The probable causes of the accident are: 1) the crane operator had only limited experience operating friction-type cranes, and 2) the operator failed to follow safe operating practices for moving loads. Other possible causes include: 3) the boom lever might not have been fully engaged allowing the boom to free fall and shear the boom dog, 4) the boom might have been over extended in angle causing it to slip, and 5) the crane might have been previously damaged and the damage was not detected. 13-Aug-2003 – Unocal Exploration Corporation (also listed as Fatality)
Remarks: A Bell 206L-3 single engine helicopter crashed during take off from the platform. The aircraft was inbound to Intercoastal City carrying five onboard. The commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured and two other passengers seriously injured. Prior to the accident “everyone [was] rushing because rain was moving in”. Winds were 180 degrees at 23 knots. As the pilot increased engine RPM’s, the helicopter rolled to the right impacting the platform and water. The aircraft and two missing bodies were recovered. The NTSB filed a preliminary report and is continuing to investigate. 17-Aug-2003 – Newfield Exploration Company
Remarks: While removing and dismantling the rig, a contract employee was removing the last pin on a stairway when the stairway shifted and struck the employee on the hand. The employee’s finger was later removed. 09-Sep-2003 – Newfield Exploration Company
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