Alert 10 – 30 High Potential Dropped Object Incidents Results in Two LTIs
WHAT HAPPENED:
Two lost time incidents occurred on two separate occasions where two employees were struck by falling rubber guides from the Top Drive Back Up Wrenches (BUW).
Incident one: The rig had finished drilling and was in the process of making a wiper trip. The driller attempted to break the stand at the top drive connection. The BUW was positioned incorrectly grabbing one part of the X-over sub. The torque boost was used to break the connection at upper well control valve safety clamp. This resulted in the safety clamp falling on top of the BUW. The driller proceeded to pick up the stand and make made up the connection at the rotary table. As the driller started pulling the drill string, the lower safety clamp resting on the bottom part of the BUW caught the stabbing rubber guides and sheared the holding bolts which resulted in rubber guides falling 95 feet to floor striking injured person.
Incident two: While pulling out of the hole to make up a new bottom hole assembly, the assistant driller broke out the TD connection at the monkey board. He then picked up the blocks to check to see that the top drive was screwed out of the stand. He then lowered the blocks which hit the top of the stand. The rubber guide’s holding bolts sheared off and the rubber guides fell to the rig floor approximately 100 feet. The injured person was struck in the face and cheek.