Published in Oil Industry News on Tuesday, 17 February 2015
An offshore worker was blasted with radiation on a North Sea oil platform, Oil and Gas People has learned.
The incident aboard the BG Group's Lomond facility happened on Sunday. Technicians
are understood to have been carrying out non-destructive testing (NDT)
on small bore pipework when the worker who was not involved in the
operation is believed to have been exposed.
A
source close to the incident informed Oil and Gas People that the
worker may have been in a container close by and was missed by the NDT
team before starting the NDT process. It is not known how long he was
directly exposed for but the individual is understood to have been in the container for several hours. This information has not been confirmed by BG Group.
NDT
is used to inspect pipework and machinery without causing damage using
radioactive rays. It is believed an Iridium source was being used but
this has also not been confirmed.
The
worker, who is thought to be a Sparrows employee, was treated by medics
aboard the platform and has now returned to work. An investigation into
the cause of the incident is under way.
A
spokeswoman for Stork said: "During a routine an inspection involving
radiography techniques it is suspected that an offshore worker was found
to be within a barriered off area that was put in place as per permit
to work processes.
"The
individual has received medical evaluations both offshore and onshore
and is confirmed to be safe. Stork is working closely with the BG Group
to conduct a full investigation.”
Oil
and Gas People has also learned that an HSE Inspector is onboard the
Lomond platform this morning on separate business. If the Incident is
RIDDOR reportable BG would have 10 days to notify the HSE Executive.