Alert 98 – 33 Fatality – Contract Welder
WHAT HAPPENED:
A contactor welder was fatally injured while welding the swedge on the drive pipe in preparation to nipple up the diverter assembly. At the time of the accident, two welders were welding at the level of the rig’s drive pipe support deck. The Texas deck had been lowered to a position slightly above the level of the drive pipe support deck prior to commencement of welding operations. The forward drip pan had been removed to improve the welder’s access to the joint being welded.