OSHA Inspection: TRANS TEXAS GAS CORPORATION, RIG #8

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 24, 1995

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  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 employees
were exposed to the hazard of being struck by the upper part of the rotary
hose with the hammer
connection:
Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by:
a.The upper part of the rotary hose with the hammer connection where it
connects with the standpipe, i.e. metal clamp with chain was around the
upper rotary hose, however the chain had not been secured to the
standpipe to prevent the rotary hose and hammer connection from falling.
b.Fragmented parts of the Oteco safety relief valve, Serial #BV 2550
NOLY, Patent #21050, i.e. Oteco safety relief valve had not been
maintained or inspected to determine its operability.
Due to failure to maintain the derrick, mast, rotary hose, safety relief
valve,
and their auxiliary
parts in safe condition as specified by API RP 54-92, Section 8, Paragraph
8.2.1., Page 16 and
Paragraph 8.13.3., page 20.   One feasible and acceptable abatement
method, among other
methods, to correct this hazard is to implement a maintenance and
inspection program as
addressed in the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC)
Drilling Manual,
Section H4, Page 1, ROTARY HOSE and SWIVELS INSPECTION which states, "All
hoisting
tools on the rotary drilling rig must have daily inspections followed by
monthly and quarterly
(more frequent if severe operating conditions or loading is imposed)
shutdown inspections" and
"in normal operations, pumps, piping, hoses, valves, and other fittings
shall not be operated at
pressures greater than their rated working pressure and shall be
maintained in good operating
condition.  Test pressures shall not exceed the design test pressure.
Pumps, piping, hoses, and
safety relief devices shall be of a design that meets requirements of the
operating conditions to
be encountered such as specified by API RP 54-92, Page 20, Paragraph
8.13.3." This alleged
condition occurred on or about April 10, 1995.

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $100 Reduced

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 14, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,200 Reduced

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $43,750 Reduced

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 14, 1995

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $43,750 Reduced

Issued

Oct 6, 1995

Abate by

Oct 10, 1995

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $7,000 Reduced