ACCIDENT SUMMARY

Accident Type: ..............................Struck by, falling object, suspended load

Weather Conditions/Time of Day: .............................Cold, snowy/Day shift

Type of Operation: .............................................................. Pulling well casing

Size of Work Crew: .............................................................................................6

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

Competent Safety Monitoring on Site: ....................................................... No

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

Training and Education for Employees: ...................................Not adequate

Job Title of Deceased Employee: ......................................................Rig hand

Age/Sex of Deceased Employee: ..............................................................31/M

Time on Job: .............................................................................................5 years

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

Time at Task: ............................................................................................ 7 hours

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT

At the time of the accident, six employees 

were working on a double mast service 

rig. The service rig was pulling a 4.5 inch 

casing from the gas well after completing 

the first stage of an open hydraulic fracture. 

An experienced rig hand was standing 

under the load block when the load line 

failed. The load block struck the rig hand, 

inflicting blunt force trauma to his upper 

torso, resulting in fatal injury. The load line 

was a 6x40 7/8” diameter wire rope that had 

been in service for about 3 years. The load 

line was in poor working condition and had 

several broken wire strands. Additionally, 

the load line was contacting the guard for 

the draw works as evidenced by the heavy 

wear marks on the guard. Although the 

company reportedly lubricated the load line 

routinely, the line was found to be rusted, 

dry and brittle during the investigation after 

the incident. 

Location of failed 7/8” load line.

Rope and sheave condition. Note the wear in sheave from failed line.

Wear marks in draw-works guard from failed line.

Failed 7/8” load line close-up. Note the broken wire strands.

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

ACCIDENT PREVENTION 

1. Perform daily visual inspections and monthly inspections of 

all hoisting lines. See API Recommended Practice (RP) 54, 

Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing 

Operations – Paragraph 9.6.1.

2. Follow the field lubrication requirements from the wire rope 

manufacturer. Make sure to use an appropriate (e.g., wire rope 

manufacturers’ recommended) lubricant that penetrates and 

adheres to the wire rope. See API RP 9B, Application, Care, and 

Use of Wire Rope for Oilfield Services – Paragraph 3.3.9. which 

states, “Periodically, therefore, the rope will need to be lubricated. 

When necessary, lubricate the rope with a good grade of lubricant 

which will penetrate and adhere to the rope, and which is free 

from acid or alkali.”

3. Implement a slipping and cut-off preventive maintenance program 

for hoisting lines. See API RP 9B – Section 6, Slipping and Cutoff 

Practice Abatement.

4. Perform service life calculations based on ton-mile limits. See API 

RP 9B – Section 5.

5. Immediately remove damaged lifting lines from service. See API 

RP 54 – Section 9.6.

6. Provide worker training emphasizing the following:

a. wire rope inspection criteria (what to look for);

b.preventive maintenance requirements for wire rope; and

c. how to identify, prevent and protect themselves against struck 

by, falling object, and suspended load hazards on the rig floor.

DEP FF-3615 12/2012