Alert 11 – 09 Improperly Mounted Rig Floor Winch Results in Hi-Potential Near Hit

Alert 11 – 09 Improperly Mounted Rig Floor Winch Results in Hi-Potential Near Hit

WHAT HAPPENED:

During operations on the drill floor the crew was in the process of picking up riser through the V-door. They were using the 4500 kg winch for pulling back the riser to permit racking of the riser into the V-door. As the riser was being picked up, the winch bolts holding the winch to the pedestal failed and the winch broke free from its pedestal. When the winch broke free from its mount and was suspended by its wire rope, it swung sideways and smashed the glass on the doghouse door. The riser then slid back down the V-door and came to rest on the V-door stopper.