SAFETY ALERT - #03-1992

FAILURE OF CONTROLAIR VALVE INJURES DERRICKMAN

RELEASE DATE: 1992

Injury: Serious Injury Location: Rod basket of the service rig

Serious Injury:

A Saskatchewan oilfield service rig worker was injured when a controlair valve failed. This caused the drawworks to re-engage
unexpectedly. The travelling blocks struck the crown broke free and fell on the worker.

Worker:

A derrickman located in the rod basket of the service rig.

Circumstances:

The service rig was equipped with a controlair main control valve (in this instance, a WABCO HD-2-FX). Valves of this type contain a
friction brake, which will hold the control handle in any position selected. This brake is made up of two small pieces of spring steel. An
investigation revealed that one of these pieces had broken and become wedged between the valve body and the lever valves. When
the rig operator disengaged the drawworks and powered up to use power tongs, the drawworks re-engaged unexpectedly. The
traveling blocks shot up to the crown, severed the drill line and fell, striking the worker in the rod basket. The derrickman suffered
multiple injuries.

Preventative Measures:

Valves such as the WABCO HD-2-FX should be inspected immediately and at regular intervals afterwards. If defects are found, the
valve must be repaired at once or removed from service. If the valve is replaced, it is strongly recommended that the replacement be
designed to self-return the control handle to the neutral position from all positions in the handle travel arc (as will the WABCO HD-2-
FX).

Regulations:

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part XIV, section 127(2) requires an employer who receives a report of an
equipment defect that, if uncorrected, could create a danger to workers or who becomes aware of such an equipment defect shall take
immediate steps to protect to workers from that danger.

Contact:
Occupational Health & Safety
Regina Enquiry:
6th Floor, 1870 Albert Street
S4P 3V7
Phone: (306) 787-4496

Saskatoon Enquiry:
8th Floor, 12 - 3rd Avenue North
S7K 2H6
Phone: (306) 933-5052
Toll free: 1 (800) 567-SAFE (7233)

This material is presented for information purposes only. Managers and Supervisors should evaluate this information to determine if it can be applied to
their own situations and practices.
1538 – 25 Avenue NE Canadian Petroleum Safety Council Ph: (403) 509-4871
Calgary, AB T2E 8Y3 Fax: (403) 291-9408
www.enform.ca safety@enform.ca