Fatality involving offshore drilling pipe rack flingers
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 November 2001
- Generated on 18 September 2025
- IMCA SF 13/01
- 1 minute read
We have been passed the following safety alert issued by the US Minerals Management Service.
What happened?
Recently, while two roustabouts were positioning a stand of pipe into a pipe rack finger in the derrick, the pipe rack finger fell to the rig floor, killing one roustabout and injuring the other. The nine-stand derrick finger weighed approximately 65 lbs and fell approximately 90 feet. Preliminary indications are that the finger fell as the result of the failure of a weld near the base of the finger.
Although the accident is currently under investigation by MMS, with an official report to be issued at a later date, the above facts and the potential for similar occurrences have prompted this alert.
Recommendations
The MMS recommends that all pipe rack fingers currently in use and those scheduled for use be inspected for the purpose of verifying their structural integrity.
At the conclusion of the MMS’s investigation of the accident, the issuance of an additional Safety Alert with further recommendations is possible.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.