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OFFSHORE CRANE SAFETY ALERTAlert No:

01-2Date:02/21/01

Safety 

INCIDENT SUMMARY:On Wednesday February 7, 2001 at approximately 21:30 hrs the boom on the portaft Linkbelt 218 crane was pulled backwards over the crane cab. The boomstayed attached by one leg at the base of the boom with the rest draped downoutboard of the port aft rig deck. The incident occurred on a jackup drilling rig performing a workover at our West Cameron platform. There were no injuries,no pollution incidents and no damage to Company property associated with theincident. The crane boom and live mask were severely damaged and will requirereplacement. The crane cab also had significant damage, but may be repaired.Operations at the time of the incident were laying down the workstring from thedrill floor and back loading it to the workboat. The crane operator was working between two cranes located very close to each other on the port side of thedrilling rig. At some point he left the port aft crane to assist roustabouts withrigging of the pipe to be back loaded onto the workboat. The crane was leftunattended and running with the boom positioned over the pipe deck at about a65degree angle.

CONTRIBUTING FINDNGS:

• Drilling Company rig site Management was not knowledgeable ofestablished written procedures of shutting down crane engine/power whencrane operator leaves cab. 

• Drilling Company rig site Management did not enforce established written procedures of shutting down crane engine/power when crane operatorleaves cab. 

• Drilling personnel did not follow established written procedures of shuttingdown crane engine/power when crane operator leaves cab.

• Malfunction of the cranes hydraulic system allowed the boom to slowlyrise until it fell backwards over the crane cab.

• Crane Operators are performing routine crane inspections.• Boom up limit switches allow auto resetting to occur

• Possible debris in closed chamber hydraulic fluid due to poor refilling practices

OTHER FINDINGS:

• Area was secured properly after incident occurred

• Crane operator was fairly new (6 months) but had received proper training

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and was currently certified.

• Crane was inspected, had major repairs, was load tested and recertified byABS in November 2000.

• Preventive maintenance procedures are in place and being followed.

• Cranes were being inspected as per API recommended practice RP2D

ACTIONS TAKEN OR TO BE TAKEN TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE

• Drilling Company rig site Management should be knowledgeable ofcompany procedures.

• Drilling Company Management should enforce company procedures.

• Crane Operators should follow established company procedures.

• Drilling Company should consider establishing procedures for properfilling of hydraulic system oil reservoir.

• Install signs in all crane cabs stating “Always Shut down engine whenleaving crane cab”

• Consider providing crane inspection training to all personnel required to perform inspections.

• Company to issue a safety alert internally and to industry.

For more details, contact: Steve Nowe, Drilling Superintendent or Paul Ardoin,HSE Coordinator - Houston, Texas 713 961 8500