OSHA Inspection: HORIZONTAL WELL DRILLERS, LLC

Issued

2013-12-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-02-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):  The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that rig crew employees were exposed to struck-by hazards:   On or about June 24, 2013, casing operations were being performed to install casing pipe in a newly dilled oil and gas well at the Faulkner 5 3H Well, 10 miles North and 2.5 miles West of Ogallah, Kansas.  Employees in, on, and around areas of the drill rig platform were exposed to struck-by hazards from falling debris such as but not limited to, the elevated work platform/derrick basket which broke loose (and fell) when the derrick basket and the casing elevator came into contact with one another.   Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard may include, but are not limited to, the following:   1. Hold a Pre-Start-Up Safety Meeting with all employees of all employers on the worksite to ensure all employees understand the task(s), standard operating procedures, communication procedures, and emergency procedures pertaining to the work to be accomplished during the work shift to include ensuring employees are working in areas that are safe from falling debris in case of drill rig component structural failure.   2.  Develop and Implement Written Standard Operating Procedures regarding communications on the drill rig as noted in API RECOMMENDED Practice 54, Third Edition, August 1999, Reaffirmed March 2007, Recommend Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Chapter 12.3.2:  "Signals between supervisors, personnel, and other involved persons should be agreed upon and fully understood prior to initiation of operations.