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What happened?
A work crew were installing a 36” pipe spool at a height of approximately 100 feet (30 meters) above the ground.
The task first required the removal of the existing spool. A new spool was then lifted into place and an attempt was made to correctly install the drift pins/studs at the mating flanges.
However, the work crew had difficulties aligning the flanges and a crane was brought in to assist.
After a shift change, the oncoming work crew managed to remove the studs so they could restart the task. The spool suddenly shifted, pinning one worker against the handrail causing him to suffer three broken ribs and a spleen injury.
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Why did it happen?
- Crane manipulation created unrecognised stored energy between pipe spools.
- The spool replacement was not managed as a ‘critical task’.
- Task spanned multiple changes in team members.
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What did they learn?
- Verify criticality of task execution and associated controls is appropriate.
- Confirm specific rigging plans for lifting and hoisting activities are adequate.
- Recognise and manage activities that can create stored energy.
- Verify adequate handover occurs between changing crew members.
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Ask yourself or your crew
How can something like this happen here?
If a job doesn’t go to plan and needs to change, what should we do?
What potential stored energy is present in today’s task?
How do we make sure we (or our colleagues) have all the information they need at shift handover?
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What happened?
A work crew were installing a 36” pipe spool at a height of approximately 100 feet (30 meters) above the ground.
The task first required the removal of the existing spool. A new spool was then lifted into place and an attempt was made to correctly install the drift pins/studs at the mating flanges.
However, the work crew had difficulties aligning the flanges and a crane was brought in to assist.
After a shift change, the oncoming work crew managed to remove the studs so they could restart the task. The spool suddenly shifted, pinning one worker against the handrail causing him to suffer three broken ribs and a spleen injury.
Why did it happen?
- Crane manipulation created unrecognised stored energy between pipe spools.
- The spool replacement was not managed as a ‘critical task’.
- Task spanned multiple changes in team members.
What did they learn?
- Verify criticality of task execution and associated controls is appropriate.
- Confirm specific rigging plans for lifting and hoisting activities are adequate.
- Recognise and manage activities that can create stored energy.
- Verify adequate handover occurs between changing crew members.
Ask yourself or your crew
How can something like this happen here?
If a job doesn’t go to plan and needs to change, what should we do?
What potential stored energy is present in today’s task?
How do we make sure we (or our colleagues) have all the information they need at shift handover?
A work crew were installing a 36” pipe spool at a height of approximately 100 feet (30 meters) above the ground. The spool suddenly shifted, pinning one worker against the handrail causing him to suffer three broken ribs and a spleen injury.
