Near Miss – ESP Line Spool Operator in No Go Zone

​ Incident

While RIH 3.1/2’’ completion Tbg with ESP cable and after making a connection, the driller-before resume to RIH-  observed the spooler machine operator was standing underneath the cable drum and doing some cleaning! Pic (1). The operator didn’t inform the driller that he is going to do cleaning under the drum (The spooler controller was in forward position). Fortunately the driller noticed at the right time that the operator was standing in wrong position. The driller intervened and held a TBT With all personals on site.

Findings

• -There was poor communication between driller and spooler operator prior to the event.
• -Spooler operator didn’t engage the control gear in neutral position so to ensure drum is not moving in case driller resumes RIH.
• -Risk was normalized in which the operator decided to work in no-go zone without taking the  supervisor (Driller) permission even though the No go zone warning tape was in place.

Learnings

• -Ensure a good communication between driller and spooler operator to have smooth operation.
• -Pic (2) illustrates the right position of the operator while controlling the spooler  (RIH or POOH).
• -No go zone barrication should be always in place and risks associated with entering such critical areas should be addressed in TBT with consideration of mitigations.
• -Encourage crew  members to intervene any unsafe behavior.