What happens if a drill rig overturns?

Figure 1. Image of two drill rigs preparing to drill on a safe work platform. (Image from ADSC) Every year, drill rigs and other heavy, specialty equipment used for deep foundation construction (Figure 1) overturn potentially causing injuries and fatalities, as well as damage to the surrounding sites.

What happened if a drill rig fell?

The drill rig was not in the proper configuration for hoisting when the drill rig toppled. It fell in the direction of the suspended load, striking and killing a construction worker on the ground and injuring the drill rig operator. The operator was not NCCCO drill rig certified. The drilling company was cited four times by OSHA for this incident.

What causes a drill rig hazard?

Many drill rig incidents have been related to inadequate working platforms and improper use of equipment that violates manufacturer’s guidelines. Work is continuing to address these hazards through ANSI/ASSP consensus standards, certification processes, and other efforts.

What happened to the drill rig operator?

The operator inside fell about about 20 feet and suffered a fracture in his back, but is currently listed in good condition. The drill rig operator was a subcontracter with the Morris-Shea Bridge Co. who was preparing soil for foundation work at the site of the future "Astra Tower," a 39-story luxury apartment building.

Is this the deadliest oil rig accident ever?

Monday’s explosion and rig fire appear to be the deadliest oil and gas industry accident since 2010, when 11 workers were killed after an explosion on BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico that triggered the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

Why do drill rigs fail?

Contributing factors to these incidents include poor working platforms and improper use of the equipment. Poor Working Platforms Often, pressures exerted by drill rigs on soil subgrades exceed the loads that will be produced by the completed building.