Inspection Detail

Inspection: 112123708 - Pride Petroleum Services, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 8:10 a.m. on January 3, 1992, at Mt. Poso Oil Field, Shell Western Oil Lease, Griffith Well #156, Bakersfield, CA, Employee #1 was working on the floor of Rig 449. The crew was pulling tubing from the well and had pulled one joint when the tong operator placed the power tongs over the tubing. The tong operator raised the tongs to operating level but the tongs got in a bind with the tubing. Efforts were made to free the tongs by lowering the tubing and moving the tongs. The tongs were suspended from the sand line, which contained smoker bars and jars. As the tubing was lowered, the tubing string weight transferred to the sand line, causing the sand line to part. The sinker bars and jars fell, striking Employee #1 on the head. He was taken to Kern Medical Center for treatment of head injuries. Employee #1 remained in the hospital until February 1, 1992.

Keywords: HEAD, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, OIL WELL SERVICING, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT