OSHA Inspection: DIATOM DRILLING CO

Issued

1992-10-22 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-10-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
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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 employees were
exposed to:
Diatom Drilling Rig #3, located four miles east of Borger,
Texas, on the Killough Lease:  A struck by hazard when the
hydraulically operated pawl system, designed to engage
automatically
during scope up was not operating properly and a derrick
hand had to climb the derrick to coax the pawls or "dogs" into
place.  During this operation, the hydraulic hose which supplied
fluid to the derrick for raising, blew out, from its connection.
While the derrick man was up, inside the derrick structure, the
top section dropped suddenly, fatally injuring the derrick man.  The
derrick continued to float down as the fluid ran out below the
rig floor.  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement method to correct this hazard was to repair any and
all non-functioning components and bring up to design and
requirements of manufacturer.