The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published Safety Notice ED02-2026 warning that certain electrically driven drilling drawworks may experience uncontrolled top-drive descent because their fail-safe disc brakes, although capable of passing static holding-capacity tests, may not provide sufficient braking force to stop a moving load during an emergency. Duty holders are advised to review their fail-safe systems, OEM assessments and maintenance procedures, confirm that braking performance standards are adequate, and inspect braking components for wear, corrosion, damage and correct tolerances. Manufacturers and suppliers should review the dynamic emergency performance of affected systems and update their design assessments, performance standards and equipment instructions where necessary.
Source: HSE.