Alert 99 – 04 Rig Tong Snub Lines
WHAT HAPPENED:
During an inspection on a rig, the rig company found that the rig was using incorrect size wire rope lines for snub lines on the rig tongs. The rig was using two 5/8″ snub lines on the tongs instead of one single 1 ¼” line. The company involved stated that this practice has been found to create a possible hazard due to uneven distribution of load through the dual lines usually placing tension on only one of the lines. It also can create hand/body pinch point in between the lines. Tong manufacturers recommend the use of a single snub line according to the safety alert.