IMCA describes a Lost Time Injury (LTI) where a rigger got his foot trapped between two pipes, during pipe handling operations.
The incident
During pipe handling operations a rigger positioned himself at the pipe’s bottom layer gap. A pipe from the upper layer rolled down into the space on the bottom layer, trapping the rigger’s left foot resulting in a Lost Time Injury (LTI).
Probable cause
The worker walked towards the pipe stack, while the pipe on the top layer was still connected to the gantry crane. He then stepped forward into the gap on the bottom layer, but at the same time, the pipe stack shifted, trapping his ankle, causing an LTI.
According to IMCA, further factors that contributed to the incident are the following:
- This was a repetitive task which had been ongoing for two months (loading and unloading 2000 pipe-joints during this period);
- There were sufficient team members on site, but the other riggers were involved in another task elsewhere. The crew person involved decided to continue the task on his own to get the job done;
- Temporary wedges were available during the pipe handling operations. The pipe stacking area, however, was not set up with permanent wedges or spacers to ensure the pipes could not roll;
- A stacking plan and a risk assessment were available, but neither were being followed at the time;
- Inspections and audits had failed to verify controls and preventive measures;
- Human factors – risk perception and competency of personnel involved in operations.
