DTS-AW-201607-EU-SA Trading & Supply Operations February 2016

Finger trapped during pipe removal

Hoisting
Target audience for this alert: point
 T&S Terminal Operations Staff
 HSSE Advisors
 Engineering
Finger
What happened?
trapped
A 3m long piece of pipe (DN 150) needed to be removed
as part of a project. The pipe was out-of-service pipe and
had already been cleaned and disconnected. It was located
above an out-of-services degasser vessel with little room for
movement. In order to lower the pipe to ground level, 2
round slings were attached with the plan to lower it with
chain hoists. An additional worker was on the ground to control the pipe with a guide rope. During the lowering
exercise, the piece of pipe got stuck. The contractor tried to free the pipe by pushing it with his hands. The pipe
made an unforeseen movement and his finger got trapped between the pipe the team were lowering and an
existing DN25 pipe. Job related risks were identified in Method statement and last minute risk assessment.

Why it happened
 The contractor tried to release the stuck pipe with a reflexively manual push using his hands. Due to the
unforeseen movement of the pipe, his fingers were in the “line of fire” and got trapped.

Lessons learned
 Always ensure tension is maintained on lifting equipment during lowering operations
 Full team is engaged, paying attention and intervening if something unexpected happens
 Keep hands and other body parts well clear of unsecured equipment

Recommendations
 Conduct and improve quality of toolbox session before lifting activities (e.g. discuss previous incidents)
 If something changes STOP and re-evaluate the risk “Point of work risk assessment” before starting again
 Be aware of “line of fire” and keep out of the “line of fire”
Further information Terminal Manager, Claudia Lacher