Spark of an idea 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
Two Nigerian offshore oilworker’s were tasked with the job of a minor welding repair to the rig sub-structure. The biggest problem facing these ‘Darwin nominees’ was that the repair was to be effected some 7 - 9 ft above deck level, which meant that some sort of small scaffold would be required. Routine HSE procedure is to find an existing mobile scaffold, of which there are usually several on an offshore installation, or if none are currently available, to construct one that meets the appropriate HSE standards.
As it was only a minor job and, given that no mobile scaffolds could be found, the “Einsteins” begrudgingly felt that it would take longer to construct a new scaffold than it would to actually affect the repair. Necessity being the mother of invention, our oilworkers espied a couple of empty steel drums and a few planks of wood in a waste pile not far from the intended jobsite. The light bulb of logic illuminated and thus was born the ill-conceived strategy that ultimately led to their demise.
Rolling the two drums to the rig bulkhead they soon manufactured a makeshift scaffold with a few planks of wood astride the empty drums. It would not be long before their task was finished. They climbed aboard their ‘HMS Titanic’ and, lighting up the welding torch, proceeded to attend to the repair.
What this odd couple had neglected to do is make the logical connection between some basic facts relating to their job.
1) They were conducting ‘hot’ work with a welding torch against steel that produces abundant sparks.
2) The empty drums had formerly been filled with paint thinner.
3) Even when the thinner runs out there is still some residue left, especially in the gaseous state.
4) Paint thinner is highly flammable.
5) The hot sparks from the welding work were cascading over the drums, which had not had their lids replaced.
Needless to say it was only a matter of time before a stray spark ignited the drums. One of the workers was killed instantly and the other spent several months in a burns unit in a European city.
This was a tragedy, however it serves to highlight some of the major causes of Darwinian downfalls, namely:-
1) A fundamental inability to connect a number of critical facts and to identify their logical conclusion (ie. fire + flammable substance = explosion).
2) The idleness to do the job properly, opting instead for a quicker, more convenient and thoroughly unsuitable alternative.
3) A fundamental inability to identify and assess blatantly obvious risks.
**This occurred sometime in the mid – late nineties whilst I was working offshore in Nigeria and was the subject of an internal and industry safety alert.
Submitted on 06/27/2003
Submitted by:
Anonymous
Reference:
Industry HSE Alert, mid 90's
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