Skip to content

Lacerated wound and fracture of the knee

We have been notified of the following incident in the drilling sector.

An assistant driller and others were trying to lift the balancing frame to ‘guide line’ with the aid of a tugger winch, so that it could be lowered to the well head. Because the frame winch wasn’t in a proper balance position, the assistant driller tried to adjust the sling for lifting. When he had just finished shackling the frame to the winch sling, the balancing frame fell backward onto his right knee. The photos allow a better understanding of the accident.

The injured person had not observed that there was no tension on the sling that he shackled to the frame before carrying out the adjustment on the sling. He probably failed to signal to the winch operator to pick up and tension the sling.

The assistant driller suffered a lacerated wound on the lateral side of his right leg and a fracture of the knee.

The company involved has noted the following corrective actions:

  • Riggers on board to be properly trained;
  • Activity to be planned with proper toolbox meetings and job safety analysis, as this helps avoid this kind of incident occurring in the future;
  • Improve communication between operator involved in the operation.

Safety Event

Published: 1 January 2002
Download: IMCA SF 01/02

IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.