Safety Flash
Unplanned rotation of drilling machinery
Unplanned rotation of drilling machinery
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 20/23
- Human FactorsIsolationMachinery and Equipment
- Human factorsMechanical failure
- Inspection and maintenance
- Operator displays and control interfacesRotating machinery
- Energy and process isolationMachine guardingOperating and work proceduresSafety communication
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A subsea drill unexpectedly rotated during planned maintenance on a vessel’s deck, breaking retention fastenings without injuring anyone. The flash identifies an unreconciled switch position, inadequate handover and excessive reliance on administrative controls. Subsequent actions included an isolation interlock, revised switching-off procedures and improved team communication and compliance monitoring.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Operator displays and control interfaces.
Classifications: Rotating machinery; rotating equipment.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Machine guarding; machinery guards; machine guards.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
During scheduled maintenance of a large subsea drill, the drill bit started rotating unexpectedly; nobody was nearby at the time and no one was injured
IMCA SF 20/23. Themes: human factors, isolation, machinery and equipment.