Roustabout 

hit by falling hatch
GENERALITIES
Incident Location: Sinai Field – Offshore Rig Trident‐16
Date of the incident: January 1th, 2022
Type of activity: Cantilever skidding
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION
At 01:40 AM on the offshore rig Trident‐16, a crane lifting activity was in progress consisting in
opening the mud pump hatch on the main deck. When the hatch was in vertical position the lifting
point used failed causing the hatch to fall onto a roustabout (IP) which was hit by it. IP was
immediately rescued by colleagues and First Aid was applied on the rig. The following morning IP
was transported to Cairo Hospital for a further medical double check, after which an hairline fracture
to the pubis bone has been detected.
WHAT WENT WRONG
• The activity was not planned and evaluated, although it was a high‐risk activity performed at night.
• IP underestimated the risk associated with the activity by positioning himself in the line of fire.
• PTW, Risk Assessment and Lifting Plan generic and not related to the activity.
• IP acted as both rigger and banksman. No Person In Charge assigned for the activity (no supervision).
• Workers did not use verbal means of communication (eg. radio) to communicate during the operation.
LESSON LEARNT
• Dedicated planning and careful Risk Assessment is a must for all lifting activities.
• The Permit To Work is a fundamental tool to ensure safe operations, not a bureaucratic duty.
• Enforcement of the Stop Work Authority may be the last barrier to avoid an accident.
• When dealing with lifting activities there is no room for improvisation.
• Before performing any lifting, make sure that the lifting points are certified and suitable for the purpose.
• Lifting operations in crowded areas that do not allow workers to respect the line of fire shall be avoided.

For further details, contact SICI Department