The drilling rig Transocean Barents is shown in a handout photo. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentThe court’s decision on the liability of an offshore drilling company related to a nearly-fatal incident on board a rig six years ago has been postponed by about a week. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentInstead of delivering her verdict Wednesday morning, July 2, Provincial Court Judge Lois Skanes will present it July 10 instead. Article contentArticle contentTransocean Canada Drilling Services Ltd. has pleaded not guilty to two charges the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (now called the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator, C-NLOER) laid against it in 2022 — one for failing to ensure a crane was properly operated, the other for allowing an employee acting as a signaler to perform duties other than signaling while a crane was in motion — in connection with the incident, which caused a worker to suffer a broken spine, broken collarbone, and damage to internal organs. Article contentArticle contentTransocean was operating the semi-submersible rig Transocean Barents in the Terra Nova oil field when the incident happened in September 2019, as workers were preparing for hurricane Dorian. Article contentWorker pinned against railingArticle contentThe crew held a safety meeting and prepared a lift plan requiring one signaler and two riggers before workers began moving drilling equipment from the rig floor to the pipe deck to secure it. Article contentAt one point, the hook of a crane became caught in the machinery, causing it to swing unexpectedly and pin a worker against a railing. Article contentAfter being assessed by the onboard medic, the injured man was taken by helicopter to hospital in St. John’s, where he remained for about three months. He was later re-admitted for a related surgery. Article contentWork on the rig immediately stopped, and operations were suspended for a month pending an investigation into the incident. Article contentAt the time, the C-NLOER said the incident happened “when hazards associated with lifting equipment and operations were not effectively managed.” Article contentIn court, the Crown has argued Transocean didn’t exercise due diligence in a situation where there was a reasonable potential for injury. Article contentTransocean has argued it isn’t liable, saying all maintenance records were up to date and provisions of its operational and health and safety policies were in effect at the time of the incident. Article content
NL court decision on nearly-fatal offshore incident postponed
