Alert
  • Published: 26 Aug 2011
  • Incident ID: 3382

Drill Line Pulls Through Wire

Cause & Consequence

  • Moving, flying or falling object
Incident Consequence
HIPO

Incident Location

Onshore construction/rig repair yard

Incident Activity

Catering / hotel services

Incident Info Source

IADC

Specific Incident Equipment

Wire Rope Snake and drilling line

Lessons Identified

Not following procedure:

A procedure is in place for the "Installation and use of a Lewis Snake".

One step in the procedure is to "make sure the cable is clean and free of grease and oil in the areas

that will be loaded into the snake grip”. The manufacture procedure says: “The grips cannot grip an

oily line no matter how hard they are compressing or squeezed. A high grade degreaser and heavy

duty disposable towels are recommended for this task."

Hazard not identified:

This task has been performed by the crew many times before but the

change was the line was new and coated with an oily type preservative. No one who was spoken to

during the investigation was aware that cleaning the line was critical.

Hose clamp failure:

When the tape covering the hose clamps was removed after the incident two

Incident Recommendations

Rig personnel were instructed to follow the snake grip manufacture’s recommended “Band It® Clamp” so

that the preferred method of securing the snake is used.

Distributed an internal safety alert to all rigs so that everyone is aware of the hazards of using a snake

with oily or grease coated drill line.

Reinforced to all rigs to follow standard operating procedures so that all of the agreed and necessary

Rate this alert

Average Rating

Latest Alerts & Moments

Our searchable catalogue of hundreds of Safety Alerts and Safety Moments are all designed as learning resources that can help improve workplace safety.