Page 1735 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality Bulletin No 660

21 February 2019

Fatal Head Injury

Please see enclosed a safety alert regarding a head injury that was shared with us by ExxonMobil.

“The person suffered severe injuries to the head while falling as the ladder on which he was standing
(approx. 1.7m high) was pushed over by a shifting load. During the fall, the person lost his hard hat and
hit with his head the platform ladder on which he was standing. The person was kept in an artificial
coma for a number of days after head surgery, but later on he died following severe trauma.” - Fabrizio
Manni, EAME SSH&E Manager

This tragic incident is still being investigated, and it is likely that a number of issues contributed to the
incident. However, the need for a person to work at height on one part of the pipeline that was being
moved/secured by others is likely a significant risk that was not adequately controlled.

Part of the planning / risk assessment process should be to reduce work at height as much as is
reasonably practicable. Where a load or stored energy source is being worked upon the area should be
isolated such that only those directly involved and necessary for the works are in the area.

This is particularly important for us during craning operations, MID installations require crane / hiab
operations to lift the sign off the lorry bed and into position. We have recently undertaken reviews with
the help of Quant and ExxonMobil of our MID operations to eliminate the need to access the lorry bed
during these operations in order to eliminate the risk from working at height. The need to keep out of
the line of fire should the load move unexpectedly has also been re-enforced.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding the new MID installation SSoW, please contact your line
manager.

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works for
us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!