ACCIDENT SUMMARY

Accident Type: ..........................................................................Fall from derrick

Weather Conditions/Time of Day: ..............................................Not reported

Type of Operation: ........................................................Tripping pipe into well

Size of Work Crew: .............................................................................................5

Worksite Inspection Conducted by Employer: ......................................... Yes

Competent Safety Monitoring on Site: ...................................................... Yes

Safety and Health Program in Effect: ........................................................ Yes

Training and Education for Employees: ..................................................... Yes

Job Title of Deceased Employee: .................................................Derrickman

Age/Sex of Deceased Employee: ..............................................................29/M

Time on Job: .............................................................................................4 Years

Short Service Employee (< 1 year): ............................................................. No

Time at Task: ............................................................................................ 4 hours

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT

A derrickman was working on the derrick board of a rig. After taking 

a break, the derrickman climbed back up to the derrick board and 

did not attach his fall protection device after unhooking from the 

climb assist. The worker grabbed the first stand of pipe with the tail 

rope which helped keep his balance as the elevators were being sent 

up to attach to the pipe. When he released the tail rope, he lost his 

balance and fell 90 ft. to the rig floor, where he was fatally injured.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION 

1. Ensure that all employees that work at elevations above the 

ground or adjacent surfaces such as a rig floor, are protected at 

all times from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or 

personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). See 29 CFR 1910.23.

2. Evaluate the worksite to identify jobs and locations where workers 

might be exposed to fall hazards.

3. Instruct all workers in the hazards of working at elevations and 

how to properly use personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).

4. Implement work rules which instruct workers that they must use 

fall protection equipment (e.g., ladder climbing assist devices; 

PFAS, etc.) when they are working at elevations.

5. Inspect all fall-related equipment (guardrails, ladders, PFAS) to 

make sure that they are not damaged or deteriorated.

Note: The described case 

was selected as being 

representative of improper 

work practices which likely 

contributed to a fatality from 

an accident. The accident 

prevention recommendations 

do not necessarily reflect the 

outcome of any legal aspects 

of the incident case. OSHA 

encourages your company or 

organization to duplicate and 

share this information.

You Have a Voice in the Workplace

The Occupational Safety and Health Act 

of 1970 affords workers the right to a safe 

workplace (see OSHA’s Worker Rights page, 

www.osha.gov/workers.html). Workers also 

have the right to file a complaint with OSHA 

if they believe that there are either violations 

of OSHA standards or serious workplace 

hazards. 

How OSHA Can Help

For questions or to get information or 

advice, to report an emergency, report a 

fatality or catastrophe, or to file a 

confidential complaint, contact your nearest 

OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov or call our 

toll-free number at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), 

TTY 1-877-889-5627. It’s confidential.

More Information

Upstream oil and gas safety and health: 

www.osha.gov/SLTC/oilgaswell

drilling/index.html

OSHA standards and regulations: 

www.osha.gov/law-regs.html

OSHA publications: 

www.osha.gov/publications

OSHA’s free On-site Consultation services: 

www.osha.gov/consultation

Training resources: 

www.osha.gov/dte/index.html

DEP FF-3617 12/2012

FATALFacts No. 4 – 2012

Oil Patch

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)