Supervisor Competency

The root cause of the incident was a mismatch between the winch’s calibrated load limit and the actual rig setup.
The team used a previous calibration record, assuming it applied to the current configuration.

Contributing factors:

• Inadequate communication between field and control operators.

• Failure to review equipment change logs before operations began.

• Limited visibility around the suspended area due to vehicle positioning.

The team also discovered that updated training materials for the new winch system had not yet been rolled out to all operators.

The incident reinforced the importance of verifying equipment calibration and ensuring cross-team communication before starting any lifting or recovery task.

Lessons learned:

• Always conduct a test lift after recalibration.

• Maintain clear line-of-sight communication between operators.

• Record every configuration change in the maintenance log.

The team has now implemented a dual sign-off procedure — both maintenance and field operators must confirm readiness before equipment use.

Continuous learning and attention to detail remain key to safe operations.

• Do we confirm equipment readiness and calibration before each task?

• How often do we review updated safety procedures as a team?

• Are we communicating clearly between operations and maintenance teams?

• When was the last time we checked our SOPs for outdated steps?

• What steps can we take to improve situational awareness during live operations?

Asking the right questions helps every crew member work safer and smarter.

The team realized that safety processes must evolve along with operational changes. Relying on old checklists or outdated configurations can create gaps that lead to avoidable risks.

They introduced a new pre-task verification checklist that now includes equipment calibration dates, operator authorization, and communication readiness between teams.

Key learnings:

• Cross-verifying equipment setup with maintenance records before starting work prevents misalignment.

• Encouraging open reporting of near misses helps identify patterns early.

• Establishing a weekly review of active safety alerts ensures lessons are shared across teams.

The crew also recognized the value of slowing down during preparation phases — taking five extra minutes to confirm readiness is far more effective than responding to incidents after the fact.

Safety isn’t a checkbox; it’s a shared responsibility reinforced through daily discipline and dialogue.