-
What happened?
Electrical works were being carried out on an offshore installation.
The last check to ensure power lines were correctly connected to the panel was to switch the circuit breaker to test position.
The electrical engineer called the electrician to give instruction to switch the circuit breaker.
Later, the engineer tried unsuccessfully to contact the electrician for an hour. He then contacted the production supervisor to investigate.
The production supervisor found the electrician lying down on the ground behind an electric panel.
The electrician had a burned left arm from an electric shock and was pronounced dead at the scene.
-
Why did it happen?
The electrician completed an initial test, then went to a different area of site, and returned shortly later. He returned to the incorrect panel – to one that was live.
Incorrect / misleading labelling of the panels led to confusion.
The electrician should have tested the panel from the front (without access to the energised parts), not the back.
The electrician should not have been working in isolation on this task.
Electrical testing was carried out without written instructions and risk assessments.
It was unclear whether a permit to work (PTW) was needed for the task.
-
What did they learn?
Review and amend any incorrect labelling in electrical panels.
Ensure electrical warning signs are present.
Raise awareness of operational best practices and risks.
Ensure when restarting a well that there is appropriate planning, risk assessment and written instructions.
Increase worker supervision during tasks.
Electrical works shoud be performed by a minimum of two expert electrical technicians.
Update PTW procedure so it is clear which activities require a PTW and which do not.
All maintenance works should be carried out with appropriate documentation.
Confirm the integrity of all electrical equipment on substations.
-
Ask yourself or your crew
How do you know you are working on the right panel?
Are all the electrical panels clearly labelled on your site?
How many people have been assigned to work on an electrical task? Is that sufficient?
How do you know people are competent to work on (specific) electrical tasks?
Do you have all the required documentation for your task? What should you do if you don’t?
Which of your tasks require supervision? Are there any others tasks that should be supervised?
Add to homescreen
Content name
Select existing category:
Content name
New collection
Edit collection
What happened?
Electrical works were being carried out on an offshore installation.
The last check to ensure power lines were correctly connected to the panel was to switch the circuit breaker to test position.
The electrical engineer called the electrician to give instruction to switch the circuit breaker.
Later, the engineer tried unsuccessfully to contact the electrician for an hour. He then contacted the production supervisor to investigate.
The production supervisor found the electrician lying down on the ground behind an electric panel.
The electrician had a burned left arm from an electric shock and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Why did it happen?
The electrician completed an initial test, then went to a different area of site, and returned shortly later. He returned to the incorrect panel – to one that was live.
Incorrect / misleading labelling of the panels led to confusion.
The electrician should have tested the panel from the front (without access to the energised parts), not the back.
The electrician should not have been working in isolation on this task.
Electrical testing was carried out without written instructions and risk assessments.
It was unclear whether a permit to work (PTW) was needed for the task.
What did they learn?
Review and amend any incorrect labelling in electrical panels.
Ensure electrical warning signs are present.
Raise awareness of operational best practices and risks.
Ensure when restarting a well that there is appropriate planning, risk assessment and written instructions.
Increase worker supervision during tasks.
Electrical works shoud be performed by a minimum of two expert electrical technicians.
Update PTW procedure so it is clear which activities require a PTW and which do not.
All maintenance works should be carried out with appropriate documentation.
Confirm the integrity of all electrical equipment on substations.
Ask yourself or your crew
How do you know you are working on the right panel?
Are all the electrical panels clearly labelled on your site?
How many people have been assigned to work on an electrical task? Is that sufficient?
How do you know people are competent to work on (specific) electrical tasks?
Do you have all the required documentation for your task? What should you do if you don’t?
Which of your tasks require supervision? Are there any others tasks that should be supervised?
Electrical works were being carried out on an offshore installation. An electrician was working alone testing the panel, he was unable to be contacted, and he was found to have been electrocuted.
