1. Bails incident Nabors 792 A Wilberts and sons #1
At approx, 8:10 am while in the process of picking up 2-7/8 d/p stinger the Driller was extending the elevators to latch onto the joint that was placed in the mouse hole. The IP walked toward the side of the elevators to latch onto the drill pipe but did not take into consideration the slack in the bails which causes the system to swing forward. The bolt securing the elevators to the bails struck the IP on the side of the head knocking off his hard hat and caused a laceration to the side of the head.
The task was immediately stopped and a safety stand-down occurred.
The IP was transported to hospital in Lafayette where he received 7 stitches and was released to full duty.
The JSEA included the hazard of swinging elevators and required all personnel to be aware during the picking up pipe operation.
Original risk assessment included changing out bails and elevators – this was deemed more risky than becket and bails system.
Investigation findings:
Incident did not occur at crew change or tour change.
29 joints had already been picked up – this was the last joint.
Possible cause due to lack of focus as IP was thinking forward to next operation