SAFETY FLASH

No. SSA/ REXHSEP01/08

Fall from height fatal accident

GENERAL INFORMATION
Accident place: CANAPORT LNG TERMINAL PROJECT
Country: CANADA
Activity area: LNG TANK # 1
Type of activity: SUSPENDED PLATFORM PREPARATION PRIOR ELECTRICAL HOIST REPAIR
Date of accident : WEDNESDAY JANUARY 30TH, 2008
Type of incident : FATALITY
ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION
Two workers were preparing for repairs on a defective electrical hoist inside the LNG Tank #1.
One of the worker was standing on a suspended work platform located at approximately 120 feet (36
meters) height inside the LNG tank 1, from where the electrical hoist necessitating repairs could have
been reached.
Prior the repair the worker proceeded to changes of the suspended platform rigging arrangement.
Then as the worker stepped from the work platform to the suspended deck to reconnect the electrical
power in order to bring the hoist into reach position, the work platform tilt forward causing the worker to
slip and fall to the bottom of the tank as his harness was not attached to a fixed point.

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Recreation of the accident scene

CRITICAL FACTORS ROOT CAUSES

• A chain block has been fixed to the lifting lug
located on the floor of the platform but the
method developed required to fix this chain
block to the corner post of the platform.
• Non compliance with 100% tie-off for work at
height of more than 6 feet.
• Inadequate evaluation and documentation
of changes.
• Lack of work permit and job safety analysis
for the task, no evidence of communication
of task-specific risks.

RECOMMENDATIONS & LESSONS LEARNT

• A systematic process of reception of temporary structures used for high risk activities must be
implemented and shall include drawings review, track of changes and regular inspections to
ensure conformity with the design.
• The permit system and risk assessment process must be applied to all repair and preventive
maintenance as already implemented for construction activities.
• Communication to the workforce and communication between organisations must be interactive
and documented.
• Reinforce principals of 100% tie-off for work at height and implement a buddy system to ensure
100% tie-off where collective protection cannot be provided.
For further details contact Saipem SA QHSE Department – HSE Reporting