HSE Flags ‘Significant Risk of Harm’ To Workers After 600-Tonne Load Loss On North Sea Drilling Rig

A safety incident on Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Atlantic rig has led UK regulators to issue an improvement notice after identifying a “significant risk of harm” to workers.

The incident happened on 18 April while the rig was operating at the Rosebank field, about 80 miles (130 km) north-west of Shetland. No one was injured, and there was no environmental damage.

The Health and Safety Executive said a problem occurred in the rig’s lifting system used to raise and lower heavy loads in the drilling derrick.

Four electric motors on the system tripped, which led to a loss of control of a load weighing more than 600 tonnes.

Emergency disc brakes were activated, but they did not stop the load from coming down uncontrollably. A wire rope was pulled from its drum and flailed, causing damage to the derrick structure and equipment.

The incident also resulted in the loss of a blowout prevention valve and about 400 metres (1,300 ft) of riser pipework to the seabed.

The HSE said Odfjell did not have properly working safety systems in place for the lifting equipment.

It issued an improvement notice covering two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and two breaches of equipment use regulations.

The regulator added that the incident created a “significant risk of harm” due to possible falling debris across different areas of the rig.

Odfjell Drilling said it recognises the notice and is working with regulators on their findings.

References: BBC, Energyvoice