Near Miss: Crane Contacts High Power Electrical Lines

Cause & Consequence

• Contact with something fixed or stationary

Incident Location

Drilling unit

Incident Activity

Drilling, workover

Lessons Identified

WHAT CAUSED IT:

1. Operator elected to rig up the crane outside of location and then move it onto the location;

2. No pre-check of the route nor the hazards;

3. No power line overhead warning signs were in place;

4. Possible complacency;

5. Employees possibly distracted by other equipment and only the route at ground level;

6. Possible routine of rigging up elsewhere to avoid slowing down the move (may be necessary on some moves)

Incident Recommendations

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: To address this incident, this company did the following:

- Reminded employees to clear the route and discuss any obstacles or potential hazards.

- Instructed crane personnel to discuss, in morning meetings or other safety meetings, the need to look for hazards before they move, maintain good communication and be aware of their surroundings and hazards before tracking.

- Reminded crane personnel that before tracking cranes in or out of lease roads, the Crane Operator will request approval from the Truck Pusher or Safety Manager to ensure that the route to be traveled has been inspected for overhead power lines. No exceptions!

- If there is no Truck Pusher of Safety Manager on location, the Crane Operator will call the office for approval. This will ensure that the route has been inspected for overhead power lines. No exceptions!

- The Crane Operator will have a spotter walking in front of the crane far enough ahead to ensure the route being traveled is clear when tracking cranes in or out of location and traveling on lease roads. No exceptions!

- Reminded employees that overhead power line signs will be posted on any power lines crossing lease roads, no matter how high the power lines may be. It will be the responsibility of the Truck Pusher, Safety Manager, or Crane Operator to post the overhead power lines signs, whoever is there first. Each of these persons are to be issued overhead power line signs to have on hand.

- Reminded all employees that although it is constantly brought up in tailgate meetings, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent in identifying hazards.