Alert 20-06 Crewman caught in the line of fire while using Riser Torque Wrench

WHAT HAPPENED:

During pulling of the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) assembly, crewmen were working on the spider platform removing the eight riser flange bolts from the telescopic joint (“TJ”) when the incident occurred. The process involved the use of a hydraulically operated riser torque wrench (“wrench”) to break the bolts and raise them up to the retaining insert. The 330lb wrench is suspended via a spring compensator from an overhead utility winch assembly controlled by a wireless remote unit at the drill floor. The winch is used to position the wrench in proximity of the bolts, and the compensator then allows the crewman to manually manipulate the wrench on and off the bolts…