Alert 11 – 23 Bent Hinge Pin Results in Near Miss
WHAT HAPPENED:
The operation at the time of the incident was pulling out of the hole to change out the drill bit. The bottomhole assembly (BHA) was 9 1/2” drill collars with a 7-5/8” egular connection. This operation requires 110,000 foot pounds of torque. While the rig crew was breaking out the 28” reamer and the shock sub, the hinge pin in the manual tong had become bent. This resulted in the release of the tongs, which shot across the rig floor. The tong pin that was bent during this operation had been received in the company warehouse twelve days before the incident date.