OSHA Inspection: PRIDE PETROLEUM SERVICES RIG #551

Issued

Jul 18, 1994

Abate by

Jul 22, 1994

Penalty

Initial $5,000

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 restricted in escape  from the monkeyboard in the event
of fire or explosion.  This occurred on or about April 15, 1994, on Pride
Petroleum Services, Rig #551.  Among other methods, one feasible and
acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be installation
of a
properly rigged and secured emergency descent device or other satisfactory
auxiliary means of egress, such as specified in Section 4.7, paragraph
4.7.1 of
American Petroleum Institute (APT) RP 54 First Edition, January 1981, page
11.  Essential elements of this procedure would include:
a.  Staking out a securely anchored one-half (1/2) inch wire rope escape
line
attached to the derrick or mast so as to provide a ready and convenient
means
of escape from the derrickman's working platform.
b.  The escape line route is to be kept clear of obstructions.
c.  A safety device is to be provided to permit fast emergency exit from
the
derrickman's working platform to a safe place.
d.  The tension on the escape line is to be periodically checked and
adjusted to
assure a safe landing and to allow the derrickman to stop twenty (20) to
twenty-five (25) feet from the anchor point.
e.  The ground anchor point of the escape line is to be located a minimum
lateral distance from the derrick or mast equal to the height above ground
level
to the point where the escape line fastened to the derrick or mast.