A driller and his helper were tying a piece of equipment out of the way while under the raised casing hammer of a drilling rig. The drilling rig had been re-designed without the safeguards for its free-fall controls. As the driller walked out from underneath the raised hammer, he bumped against the free-fall control lever. As a result, the 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) hammer dropped about 8 feet (2.5 metres) to the holding table, striking the driller's helper. There were no restraining devices on the casing hammer to prevent it from falling after the control lever was inadvertently engaged. The driller's helper suffered a severe leg injury.
Safe work practices:
- Provide an effective means of restraint to secure any object from falling and endangering a worker.
- Provide specific safe work and lockout procedures for working on or operating drilling rigs. Never work under a raised casing hammer unless lockout procedures allow this to be done safely.
- Ensure that only a qualified person modifies any equipment and its controls.
- Provide workers with the information, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their safety when using equipment.
More Information:
WorkSafeBC has a wide range of health and safety information. For assistance and information on workplace health and safety, call toll-free within BC 1-888-621-SAFE (7233) or visit our web site at WorkSafeBC.com.
