U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

Notice No. 020

February 24, 1975

OCS Operations Safety Alert

Crane Accident--Fatality

A recent accident occurred on a drilling rig while offloading a casing spider. The crane operator was booming down when the boom began to fall. The clutch was moved to the neutral position and the brake applied. The boom line parted and the falling line and ball on the fast line struck a roustabout, inflicting fatal injuries.

To attempt to prevent a recurrence of this type accident, the drilling contractor is more closely following the recommendations of the crane manufacturer in reconditioning and maintenance of the crane and is also requiring review of procedures for safe crane operations by all rig personnel.

Available publications containing information for use as guidelines for safe crane operations are as follows:

Offshore Operators Committee, Manual of Safe Practices in Offshore Operations, Section XII, "Crane Safety Procedures," New Orleans, Louisiana.

American Petroleum Institute, API Recommended Practices on Care and Use of Oil- Field Equipment, RP 2D, Offshore Cranes, Dallas, Texas.

[signature] D.W. Solanas

Oil and Gas Supervisor

Field Operations

Gulf of Mexico Area