Injuries - 1996
 

Remarks: Prior to opening the well (on a ¹⁰/₆₄ choke with 5,458 psi), portable test equipment piping was pressure tested to 4,000 psi. The manifold choke was increased to ¹²/₆₄ with 6,125 psi and then again to ¹⁴/₆₄. Simultaneously, the heater choke was increased from ²²/₆₄ to ²⁴/₆₄, resulting in the decrease in heater pressure. Immediately following the above choke adjustments, an elbow in the flowline piping between the choke manifold and the heater ruptured. The supervisor and field tech. were both struck in the leg causing lacerations. The ESD activated and shut in the well at surface.
 

Remarks: Pulled muscle in groin while lifting materials.
 

Remarks: Lifting on fill-up line and strained back.
 

Remarks: Cable broke dropping the bell nipple 29' on deck injuring an employee.

Remarks: A SS tubing drain line was being installed. The worker started to stand, and his left knee popped.
 

Remarks: Platform operators were sitting in front of the operator's desk located in the southeast corner of the living quarters at approximately 0530 hours when the giatronic box exploded. It is believed that the explosion occurred due to the ignition of a possible chemical leakage and build-up of hydrogen from a 12Vdc/55AH sealed battery inside the airtight-sealed giatronic box. Following the explosion, the battery, estimated to be approximately 10 pounds in weight, fell from the shattered giatronic box onto an operators lower back. He and a coworker immediately exited the east doorway of the living quarters following the explosion. Both returned to the area of the explosion within minutes, and an investigation revealed that damage was limited to the giantronic box and no additional fire damage was evident.
 

Remarks: The captain was walking downstairs to the galley when he lost his footing around the middle rung. He fell to galley floor complaining of pain. The result was 3 broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Remarks: An employee was descending steps, missed a step, and fell to floor.
 

Remarks: An operator was working on the crane boom ram preparing it for the welder. He was taking out the pressure relief valve from the ram block using a 12" pipe wrench, placing his hand on the wrench by his shoulder, and pushing upward. Motion resulted in a slight tweak and pain in lower back.
 

Remarks: Platform operator 1 was cleaning sand and BS&W from the flare scrubber by removing the flange to flange piping and drain valve from the vessel. Operators 2 and 3 were simultaneously initiating production and pressuring up the production separator. The pressure relief valve relieved prematurely through the valve and piping. This pressure surge generated static electricity and ignition. Operator 1 was in the immediate vicinity of the escaping gas and fire and received burns to his face, neck, and arms. The fire scorched the flare scrubber and contact tower, melted the electrical wiring tray, and activated the fire loop system by burning through a TSE, which properly resulted in total platform shut down.

Remarks: The platform operator was attempting to start the platform diesel crane engine whose starter is propelled by 140 psi supply gas pressure. The operator sprayed ether into the engine air intake and walked around the side to signal another operator to open the gas start valve. When the first operator checked to see if the engine started, he heard an explosion and a brief flash fire occurred inflicting first and second degree burns on his face. The operator was transferred to a quarters facility and treated by a medic. The burns were considered minor, and the operator declined further medical evaluation at a land-based facility.
 

Remarks: Employee set air hoist controller on upper cat walk and turned tripping off the lower cat walk. Air hoist was moved causing air hoist controller to fall striking an employee on the right knee. He lost his balance, stumbled against a 4" kick plate on the lower cat walk, and fell 2' to the deck.
 

Remarks: Employee was lifting compressor pistons from compressor skid to wash area and then back to the compressor skid. This resulted in an inguinal hernia.

Remarks: Crew was tripping pipe in the hole and drill pipe struck roughneck in the face.
 

Remarks: Two roustabouts were spotting a Francis torque unit when one of them stepped backward and fell through a 4' x 4' open hatch in the top deck. He suffered numerous fractures, contusions, and lacerations. He received immediate first aid and was evacuated for emergency medical aid.
 

Remarks: In locating the steam cleaner on the well bay with crane, it hung up on edge of platform. When the unit was freed, it was lowered onto the employee's foot causing his foot and ankle to twist.
 

Remarks: [NOTE: The accident occurred on State Lease 979, West Delta, Block 54. This facility is located in State waters; however, OCS oil is processed into Tank No.1 giving MMS authority to investigate.] Workers were preparing to clean storage tanks on platform. Two workers in a tank were handed a, supposedly, secured steam cleaning sprayer nozzle. The explosion occurred when the cleaning unit was started. The safety representative grabbed an extinguisher, but the unit failed to discharge chemical into the tank. All personnel were evacuated. Only one fire monitor was activated due to the fire pump malfunctioning. The fire was extinguished using the fire monitor and water spray from the life boat. There were three minor injuries as a result of the accident.
 

Remarks: The A-3 well was drilled and completed as a dual gas well and was in the process of being flow tested. The platform operator was unloading sand from the test separator vessel by periodically opening a 1 1/2" manual ball valve located on the bottom of the vessel, while maintaining about 1000# back pressure on the vessel. A mixture of gas and sand continued to cut out the valve and high pressure gas was released to the atmosphere. The natural gas and fluid release came in contact with a fired component and was ignited. The platform safety system operated properly and shut in the wells 1 and 2. Well A-3 was shut in by manually activating the ESD remote located on the test separator.

Remarks: The injured party was stepping down from piping by "A" compressor over to the grating when he lost footing and fell. His injuries consisted of torn ligaments in the right knee, and the left shin was cut to the bone requiring stitches.
 

Remarks: The crane operator was using the fast line with a nylon strap to relocate valves to the opposite side of the blowout preventer stack. After hooking up to the valve assembly, they motioned to the crane operator to pick it up slightly, but not completely off the deck. Two personnel applied leverage to turn the valve assembly over. There was slack in the nylon strap causing travel in the fast line ball. The ball struck the wind wall causing a section to fall from the rig floor, and injuring a derrick hand. He received a compound fracture to his leg and a laceration on his shoulder.
 

Remarks: Problem with breaker for rig ventilation system. The electrician and motormen began installing copus blowers to keep air compressors cool while rig crew finished pulling out of the hole with bottom hole assembly. Electrician began isolating the panel board. While tightening last bolt, an arc explosion occurred. There were 2 injuries resulting in burns over 20-25 percent of the men's bodies.
 

Remarks: At some point in time, during the day, the employee incorrectly pushed, pulled, lifted, twisted, bent, or turned. No single event during the day is tied to the injury.
 

Remarks: An employee was hit by the Kelly hose after a down hole pressure surge.
 

Remarks: They were dismantling a section of pipeline riser. The pipeline had been flushed three times with water and had been pigged twice. All the pressure above the shutdown valve had been bled to 0. The riser was disconnected enough at the top to determine that there was no gas in the riser. A rigger was using a torch to cut the remaining studs and bolts off that were partially attaching the shutdown valve to the riser. Hot metal from the cutting torch fell into the open riser below the shutdown valve. Residual hydrocarbons inside the riser ignited and created a flash fire, which burned a portion of the rigger's arm that was exposed to the open top area of the pipeline riser.
 

Remarks: A drilling rig was being de-mobbed onto a supply workboat. The first lift with the use of the auxiliary (fast line) ball was the grocery box. The grocery box was lowered down to the back deck of the work- boat. The roustabout unhooked the D-ring of the grocery box slings from the auxiliary ball. The roustabout heard a noise as he unhooked the D-ring and looked up. The counter-balance assembly traveled the path of the cable and struck the roustabout in the face and chest. He was air lifted to the hospital.
 

Remarks: A pilot received burns to his arms and to a lesser degree his legs and face due to a flash fire (<1 second) near an oil pump that was being started. Gas used to turn the starter came in contact with a failed shielded ignition device between spark plug and wire. This shielded device was either corroded or had vibrated loose. A cover or cowling obstructed this loose connection from view, therefore, it was not noticed during start-up.
 

Remarks: INVESTIGATION PENDING.
 

Remarks: The wireline operator was in the process of swabbing fluid (water and condensate) into a swab tank through a 2-in flexible rubber/plastic hose that was placed in the open hatch and secured with rope. The platform operator was monitoring fluid returns; and, as he opened the swab tank hatch, a flash fire occurred. The operator's shirt caught fire, and he ran from the swab tank, which remained on fire. Another platform operator extinguished the swab tank fire using two 20# chemical extinguishers. The injured operator sustained serious burns to his face, head, neck, and hands. He was treated onsite with burn packs and brought to the hospital.
 

Remarks: The worker was crossing over a winch boom and stepped on an angle iron, slipped, and fell forward, hitting his right hand on the swing motor of the crane.
 

Remarks: Personnel were being off-loaded in the personnel basket in bad weather conditions. The basket caught onto an air conditioning unit causing one worker to fall out of the basket, head first. He hit the back of his neck on the air conditioning unit and fell hard onto the deck of the boat. He was flown to the hospital for medical attention.
 

Remarks: It appears that a short circuit was caused while attempting to connect test clips across the fuse holder. The test clip ends being large and wide shorted together or separately across phases.

Remarks: The roustabout was in the process of lubricating the top drive unit for the drilling rig. The worker was hoisted in a boatswains chair to perform this daily task. The third man necessary to provide a communication link between the person performing the work and the air hoist operator was not used. When the air hoist operator lost visual and audible communications, the accident occurred. The roustabout suffered a fractured vertebrae in his upper back along with severe bruising of the shoulder and chest area. He was immediately transported to a hospital for medical attention.
 

Remarks: While attempting to get off the crane after offloading equipment from the boat, the radiator cap failed, blowing hot coolant on the worker. He jumped off the crane onto the platform deck, injuring the heels of both feet.
 

Remarks: Injured while disconnecting lubricator and pressure suddenly released. Lubricator lifted one foot causing him to lose balance and fall to deck. Injuries to head, left arm, and right knee.

Remarks: Contractor employee fell when he leaned against a handrail and it gave way. He fell to the walkway below hitting the handrail and continued to fall to the next deck.
 

Remarks: Operating tubing tongs, forgot to latch bottom. Put in gear and fell from 4' scaffold. Taken to hospital. Bruised knee and strained neck. Was sent home.
 

Remarks: Prior to going into well #4 with a wireline gauging tool, it was necessary to pressure up to 2,600 psi to open the SSSV. After the SSSV was open, the pressure was bled down into the mud pit room, and an explosion immediately occurred. The SSSV was not closed thereby allowing the continuous feeding of the fire. The platform was evacuated, and 11 personnel were treated for injuries with 3 requiring hospitalization. Fire boat extinguished the fire on 28 Nov 1996 at 1420 hours. The rig was boarded, and the SSSV was closed at 1600 hours.
 

Remarks: An employee singed his hair when an unknown gas flashed because of his cutting torch he was using on a 36" flare stack piling. The employee was then taken to the hospital.
 

Remarks: While making a deck lift, the slings were not tight enough, and the deck lifted at 45 degrees on the cargo barge. Five men were on the cellar deck and slid down to the barge. Two men were transported to receive medical attention.
 

Remarks: An employee was descending the stairway from the bunkhouse, lost his balance, and pulled a ligament in his right knee
 

Remarks: Fire originated on south end cellar deck. The fire pump skid consists of 500 gal.diesel day storage tank located adjacent to the pump's diesel engine. The exhaust pipe from the pump engine extends over the fuel tank at a level below the top of the tank's overflow vent. Fuel tank overflowed through vent line while refueling. Diesel fuel sprayed onto the insulated engine exhaust, and, through joints in the insulation, the fuel contacted the engine exhaust (600-700 degrees Fahrenheit). The fire was extinguished within 40 minutes by personnel on the platform.
 

Remarks: An employee was attempting to light glycol reboiler with faulty electrical igniter. Employee tied a rag onto a piece of stainless tubing and tried to light it. However, the wind kept blowing, so he moved behind the instrument panel and opened the doors to light the rag. The lighter sparked gas within the panel resulting in 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face and hands. No damage to panel.

Remarks: While working on Well No. D-2, an employee from the mud logging company bent over to pick up a wire. At that point, another employee opened the door to the mud logging unit. The wind caught the door and it hit the bent-over employee in the head. The employee received treatment at Port LaVacca Hospital.
 

Remarks: The operator was in the process of lighting the pilot in the reboiler. There was a back flash out of the tube after supplying fuel. The workman sustained burns to the front of his head and was taken to the hospital for treatment and then released.
 

Remarks: The operator was tightening a bolt when the accident occurred. While pulling on a wrench, his feet slipped. He fell down, twisting his foot and hitting a piece of angle iron. The injured was transported to a medical center for treatment and then released.
 

Remarks: An employee stepped in front of a hammer being used to free the stuck bushing in the rotary when it struck his left foot.
Gulf of Mexico Region