MAN BASKETS ARE UNSAFE AND THEY POSE A DANGER TO THE SAFETY OF RIG PERSONNEL GETTING ON AND OFF THE RIG

At one point in an offshore workers’ life he will probably ride a man basket to either get on a rig or get off a rig.  As many offshore workers know, man baskets are transfer devices used to quickly transport personnel on and off of platforms.  Man baskets are manufactured with a variety of components such as wire rope, synthetic rope, floatation, cover materials etc.  All of these components are affected by the harsh offshore environment they operate in.  This wear would include general wear and tear, UV degradation as well as the salt water conditions offshore.  These effected parts are all critical in the performance, operation, and safety of the man basket.

MAN BASKET SAFETY

Man baskets ideally should be inspected before every use and a more thorough inspection every 6 months and be refurbished every two years.  The two-year refurbishment helps to insure that these devices are more than ready to do the job that they were designed for.  Manufacturers of man baskets have found on average that two years in the field is the maximum time that these type of devices operate without these critical parts being replaced.

MAN BASKET ACCIDENTS

It is obvious that the transfer of personnel from a boat to a rig is extremely dangerous and creates a situation where injury is likely to occur.   Factors leading to injury caused by the use of man baskets are usually due to rough seas, windy conditions, inexperienced crane operators, or defective equipment.  Reflex Marine conducted a study that showed most incidents happened on the vessel itself.  Less predictable was the high level taking place during pick-up, which can result in serious injuries or fatalities, compared to those caused by heavy landing, which are more likely to result in minor injuries.  Many incidents are caused by the pendulum “swing factor”: an often unavoidable misalignment between the crane line and the transfer device.

EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS

All offshore workers have the right to work in a safe environment.  The offshore industry is governed by rules, laws, and guidelines to keep workers safe, however, these rules and laws are not always followed and often lead to serious injury.  If you have sustained injuries offshore contact our experienced oilfield lawyers at 318-224-2222.  Attorneys, Stephen and Sam, have both worked in the oilfield and know the ins and outs.  Prior to becoming an attorney, Stephen worked offshore as a Petroleum Engineer gaining valuable experience which he uses to get his clients maximum compensation.  Their experience can make the difference when it comes to getting the payment you deserve.  Contact Spurgeon Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Sources:

www.reflexmarine.com