OSHA Inspection: PIONEER EXPLORATION CO. INC.

Issued

Aug 13, 1997

Abate by

Sep 9, 1997

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 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 condition(s) listed below:
Billy Hanks A#30 lease, Rig #1, approx 6-8 miles S-SW of FM176, Nolan TX.
On or about 31
May 97, Employees were using a counterweighted pulley system to assist in
moving stands of
pipe that were removed from the hole. The counterweight was a pipe
coupling or collar that was
attached to the pulley by a .129" dia wire rope. The rope was tied around
the coupling using
square and half hitch knots. The dead end of the wire rope was secured to
the live end by duct
tape instead of cable clamps. The motion of the counterweight and that the
pulley jammed
several times, allowed for the wire rope to loosen and the coupling/collar
to fall, striking the
employee on the head. The coupling/collar weighed approx 10 lbs.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is
to follow manufacturers recommendations and utilize wire rope clamps/clips
when securing the
the dead end of the wire rope.