Published in Oil Industry News on Wednesday, 18 February 2015
An
Offshore worker who was reportedly blasted with radiation during an NDT
test on the Lomond Platform in the North Sea was most likely asleep in a
container an initial investigation has found.
According
to oilandgaspeople.com sources the Sparrows Employee spent around 4
hours in a container inside a barriered off area where NDT testing was
being performed. Oil and Gas People believes that although the
individual spent considerable time in the area, the potential exposure
time due to the nature of the testing process was only around 5 minutes
as only 4 'shots' were taken over the course of the works.
The
Storeman was discovered after he exited the tools container 4 hours
after starting his nightshift on Sunday evening and found himself in the
middle of a live test area.
According
to the Permit to Work issued for the works, tannoy announcements were
made at 15 minute intervals prior to each test. The investigation is
continuing to establish why these announcements were not heard and how
the employee was not spotted by the NDT team on their area inspections.
It
is believed the BG Group and Stork are trying to recreate the test
conditions with a probe inside the container to establish what level of
radiation the employee may have been exposed to.
A
spokeswoman for Stork said: "During a routine inspection involving
radiography techniques it was 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.”
A
spokesman for Sparrows Group said: “We are relieved that following a
thorough medical check, our employee is safe and well. He was carrying
out a daily routine task within a rigging loft at the time of the
incident. We will continue to work alongside the operator and other
contractors as the investigation is carried out.”
Oil
and Gas People learned yesterday that an HSE Inspector is currently
onboard the BG operated platform and the Health and Safety Executive
have confirmed they are aware and are making initial enquiries.
The
Lomond Platform is currently shutdown and is undergoing an upgrade
project, overseen by a number of contractors including Stork.