The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has released its Accident Investigation Report on the October 10, 2021 incident on the Garden Banks Block 172B Platform (Salsa) in the Gulf of Mexico. The offshore platform is operated by Shell Offshore Inc. During the incident, a worker employed by Halliburton was assisting with hydraulic workover unit operations when he received a laceration on his left middle finger, requiring medical evacuation.
The BSEE report, explained what led up to the incident:
As the IP was guiding the second bail into the swivel becket, the swivel becket began to move since the pin was in the locked open position. The bail started to slide downward and off the moving swivel becket, so the IP removed his right hand off the top of the second bail. The IP retained his left hand on the second bail’s shaft when he lost control of the bail causing it to impact the top of the pneumatic back saver then fall to the floor.
The BSEE investigation found that the Standard Operating Procedure and the Toolbox Job Safety Analysis was for the task being performed by the worker were inadequate. The BSEE report determined the contributing cause of the incident:
BSEE’s investigation into this incident identified the following contributing causes: 1) the swivel becket moved due to the pin was in the locked open position instead of closed; 2) the Standard Operating Procedure used at the time of the incident was inadequate and didn’t present the options of using a Jib Winch or Push Pole for this task; and 3) the Toolbox Job Safety Analysis was incomplete and didn’t specifically address the hazards for this type of task.
BSEE issued an Incident of Noncompliance to document that Shell Offshore Inc. failed to perform operations in a safe and workmanlike manner during the operations on the Salsa Platform located at Garden Banks Block 172B. Ultimately, the procedures on a platform should be detailed enough in order to cover all of the important steps on a job. Accidents like this are often known risks, which much be planned for by platform owners and operators. Precautions and safety protocols must be in place before work commences.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime injury and wrongful death litigation in courts across the country and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives as a result of the negligence of another party, or been seriously injured. We have handled numerous cases involving injuries that occurred following fires or explosions on offshore platforms. The experienced offshore accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an offshore accident. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.