* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HAZARD ALERT * * * * Produced by: Saskatchewan Human Resources, * * Labour and Employment * * Provided by: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * WHILE BEING HOISTED, A ROTARY TABLE SPLIT BUSHING FALLS THROUGH ROTARY TABLE OPENING, STRIKING WELDER BELOW *** SERIOUS INJURY: *** A Saskatchewan welder received sserious head injuries at a drilling rig site. He was struck by a split bushing which slipped from its rigging and fell through the rotary table opening. *** WORKER: *** A welder in the drilling rig sub base completing work on the surface casing bowl. *** CIRCUMSTANCES: *** While the welder was working directly under the rotary table opening, operations began to hoist the rotary table split bushings from the rotary table. One split bushing was hoisted and placed away from the opening. The second bushing was attached to the hoisting device and the driller proceeded to tighten the hoist rope on the cat head. Apparently, the second split bushing became jammed when partially out of the rotary table. This caused one arm of the hoisting device on the bushing to dislodge, tipping the bushing and dislodging the opposite arm of the hoisting device. The bushing was now completely sideways (as shown below) allowing it to fall through the rotary table opening and strike the welder. *** PREVENTATIVE MEASURES: *** Before a load is hoisted, determine that is is safe to do so and ensure that the hoisting device will safely perform its intended function. *** REGULATIONS CONTRAVENED: *** The 'Occupational Health and Safety Regulations', section 5(b) requires the employer to make arrangements for safety and for the absence of risk to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances. Section 229(4) requires the employer to ensure that all rigging and components of rigging are inspected thoroughly at appropriate intervals to ensure that they will safely perform their intended function. Section 213 requires the employer to ensure that a trained and competent person is designated to operate a hoist and that safe work procedures are used for the operations of any hoist or lifting device. *** FOR MORE INFORMATION: *** The Occupational Health and Safety Branch, 1870 Albert Street, Regina, S4P 3V7 (phone 787-4496). Saskatoon office, 3130 - 8th St. East S7K 2H6 (phone 933-5052). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *