Alert 12 – 26 Gloved Hand Caught in Pipe Spinner Results in Injury
WHAT HAPPENED:
The crew was utilizing a lay down machine to pick up 4” (10cm) drill pipe. During this operation, the floor man was assisting the crew by pulling the pipe spinners onto the joint of drill pipe. As he pulled the spinner toward the drill pipe with his left hand, he placed his right hand onto the joint of drill pipe to get more leverage. As the pipe spinners were latched onto the joint of drill pipe and engaged, his right hand glove became entangled in the pipe spinner chain. His right hand was pulled into the jaws of the pipe spinner resulting in multiple fractures to his right middle finger. Quick actions by the crew prevented this incident from being more serious.