Dropped Object through Open Hatch

Safety Lesson Learned: Dropped Object through Open Hatch
Location of Incident: Forties Delta platform, UK

Brief Account of Incident
Persons were working immediately adjacent to and underneath an open BOP deck hatch. The operation involved changing a Xmas Tree top flange as part of a wire-line rig up. The riser lifting cap, weighing 31.5kgs, was removed to the BOP deck, while an operator remained on location at the Xmas Tree below. When moving the lifting cap the operator on the BOP deck slipped, allowing the cap to fall through the open BOP deck hatch, striking the Injured Person.

Actual or Potential Outcome
Actual: Minor Injury
Potential: Fatality

What Went Wrong
1. Failed to identify the hazard in moving the lifting cap in the risk assessment
2. Did not recognize that changing the Xmas Tree flange was an unusual task compared to a normal rig-up

What Went Well
1. Injured person treated immediately on site for soft tissue injury and bruising to shoulder
2. Work stopped immediately and work permits withdrawn
3. Area was cordoned off immediately
4. Detailed photo set taken to help Investigation Team

Lessons Learned
1. Work practices around open hatches were inadequate
2. The hatch cover that is used whilst working through a hatch did not fit adequately for all circumstances