Alert 05 – 15 Improper Use of Iron Roughneck Type Equipment Results in Damage
WHAT HAPPENED:
The lower jaw on the Iron Roughneck™ was being used to hold back up on a sub while the top drive was being used to spin-up the connection. This resulted in the full torque of the top drive spin-up function being transmitted to the tracks and wheels of the Iron Roughneck™. The Iron Roughneck™ was not designed to be used as a back up to the top drive, but only as a back up to itself. The torque applied to the track was sufficient to shear the hold down mechanism on the Iron Roughneck™ and dislodge it from the tracks. There were no injuries.