A worker fell a short distance after becoming tangled in a tag line during a helicopter lift, the Department of Mines and Petroleum said in a report.
The incident, which occurred at a WA salt lake in May, occurred during a helicopter lifting operation to relocate a drill rig.
According to the significant incident report, two drill offsiders attached fibre loop slings to the corners of the drill rig base.
“As the helicopter lifted the rig, an offsider’s leg became entangled in a tag line. He was lifted some distance before the helicopter pilot became aware of the situation,” the report said.
“When the pilot reduced altitude to bring the offsider back to ground, he had untangled his leg and was holding on to the fibre loop sling with his arms.
“The offsider let go and fell five to 10 metres to the ground, injuring his back.”
10 metres is a LONG distance. Big fall