Proforma Safety Blog

NTSB Has Issued Report on Oil Tanker Eagle Otome Collision

Posted by proforma on September 27, 2011  |  No Comments

You may recall the oil tanker Eagle Otome, which collided with barges on Jan. 23, 2010 in the canal near Port Arthur, Texas. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced that pilot fatigue, cracking jokes, reading newspapers and otherwise insufficient management of the tanker’s movements were factors causing the collision.

The fatigued pilot had operational control at the time of the collision, and as a result of initiating a turn late in a mild bend of the canal, failed to correct the sheering motions that began to occur. The board found that this pilot was distracted from conducting a radio call, which the second pilot should have conducted in accordance with guidelines. For details, click here.

Bureau of Labor Stats for 2010 Show No Improvement over 2009

Posted by proforma on September 11, 2011  |  No Comments

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary report on fatal occupational injuries for 2010 showed unfortunately that the number of workplace fatalities showed virtually no improvement over 2009. American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) President Terrie S. Norris says this should be a call for action, especially given these economically challenging times when workers can be at greater risk. For details, click here.

Whole Lotta Shaking Loosens Equipment on Derrick

Posted by proforma on July 5, 2011  |  No Comments

Everything on the derrick floor should be carefully inspected to ensure it’s properly retained, and all equipment, whether temporary or permanent, should have secondary retention. That’s the learning from this incident, in which a speaker was shaken loose from the back of the monkey board, breaking loose from its mounting post.

Heating Water at the Office: Do You Know Your Microwave?

Posted by proforma on February 25, 2011  |  No Comments

Can simply heating a cup of water in a microwave pose a hazard? Yes, when the water becomes superheated and boiling bubbles can’t form. Superheated water can “explode” due to the buildup of energy when the cup is moved, or a spoon of sugar, coffee, or other substance is poured in. Here are the facts:

Water can overheat above the boiling point when it cannot release thermal heat through the gas bubbles that would cool it. (How Everything Works) The situation becomes worse if the water is in a clean cup or glass container, because boiling can be hindered by the lack of “nucleation sites” to form the bubbles. (Richard Barton, New Scientist). Adding a soluble powder to the water can produce an explosion of steam bubbles.

The simple solution is to put something in the water such as a stirrer, a wooden spoon, or a tea bag. Don’t use water that has been already heated or sat out overnight. And avoid excessive time heating water in the microwave. Learn how long it takes to boil a liquid in your microwave, and don’t heat it to that point. Sounds simple enough, but we use microwaves in offices and public areas where we are not familiar with the heating capacity of the unit and may not have access to the manufacturer’s user manual. But even reading the manual may not help (“do not overheat liquids”).

Taking time to explain the potential for danger — and posting the recommended settings for heating water near your office microwave — can avoid unpleasant surprises. For additional information, see the FDA’s consumer advisory on microwaves.

Halliburton Shares Best Practice Document on Perforating

Posted by proforma on January 6, 2011  |  No Comments

Halliburton experienced a perforation gun discharge on the rig floor and has shared a “best practices” document with the industry through the International Association of Drilling Companies (IADC). The company cited the report’s applicability to any situation in which a company is performing a perforating job using coiled tubing, a “standard” coiled tubing motor head assembly, and a “ball drop type” perforating firing system.

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NOPSA Reports Increase in Accidents or Dangerous Occurences in 2010

Posted by proforma on September 17, 2010  |  No Comments

Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) has reported the number of accidents or dangerous occurrences increased by 13 precent at offshore Australia oil and gas facilities between January and June 2010. In its Offshore Health and Safety Performance Report for June 2010, NOPSA reported the most common root causes for incidents over the past five years were procedures not followed, preventive maintenance and design specifications. For details, click here.

Welder’s Helper Suffers Needless Eye Damage

Posted by proforma on September 13, 2010  |  No Comments

Just when you think you’ve covered the basics…you see a careless and completely avoidable incident like this. A welder’s helper suffered welder’s flash, called photokeratitis, after choosing to improvise a visual shield from a broken piece of glass in lieu of PPE. Not only was the helper at fault, but the welder as well, for not stopping the job and ensuring the helper donned protection.

New OSHA Rule for Cranes and Derricks Issued

Posted by proforma on August 4, 2010  |  No Comments

The final rule for cranes and derricks in construction that’s taken years to develop will go into effect November 8, 2010. The new rule will cover the leading causes of death attributed to electrocution, struck-by hazards, boom collapse and overturning.

One of the most significant changes is that operators will now be required to be qualified and certified (1926.1427). Other personnel, including riggers and signal persons, will also have to be qualified.

Employers will be required to certify their crane operators within the next four years.

Floorman Killed on Monkey Board in Avoidable Accident

Posted by proforma on July 1, 2010  |  No Comments

A floorman was struck in the abdomen by either the drill pipe or winch wire and later died of his injuries. In this report, the cause was attributed to a number of factors, including poor communication, lack of competency and inadequate risk assessment.