OSHA Inspection: A. G. HOCKING DRILLING CO., INC.

Issued

Oct 2, 1986

Abate by

Oct 6, 1986

Penalty

Initial $160 · Current $63 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 hazards of being struck by flailing and flying portions of high
pressure hydraulic hoses running from the Idea Model C250 mud pump to
the Kelly standpipe on the number 1 drilling rig, located at the
Mamie Simpson number 1 wellsite in Burnt Prairie, IL.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to provide and use safety chains or lines of
appropriate strength at all high pressure mud pump line connections,
which in the event of failure of a connection, would restrain the hoses.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Oct 2, 1986

Abate by

Oct 15, 1986

Penalty

Initial $120 · Current $48 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 hazards of being burned due to being trapped on the fingerboard
on the number 1 drilling rig, located at the Mamie Simpson number 1
wellsite in Burnt Prairie, IL, during a rig fire without having a
means of escape.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the installation of an emergency escape means
running from the fingerboard to a location remote from the wellhole and
the drilling floor following rigging up of the rig mast.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Oct 2, 1986

Abate by

Nov 6, 1986

Penalty

Initial $120 · Current $48 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 hazards of being struck by falling drill string pipe and other
heavy objects due to unintended fouling of catlines on the driller
side cathead on the number 1 drilling rig, located at the Mamie
Simpson number 1 wellsite in Burnt Prairie, IL.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to provide smooth, ungrooved cathead surfaces so
that the possibility of "spooling", and of the resultant uncontrolled
hoisting of the catline load, is minimized.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Oct 2, 1986

Abate by

Oct 15, 1986

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $78 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 recongized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to:
The hazards of being caught in moving machinery parts, being exposed
to electrical energy in excess of 50 volts, and/or being exposed to
high-pressure hydraulic energy, when performing such duties as
machinery maintenance and repair on the number 1 drilling rig,
located at the Mamie Simpson number 1 wellsite in Burnt Prairie, IL.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish a program that provides 1) effective
administrative controls over the work being performed, 2) training to
workers in the recognition and avoidance of hazards, 3) institution of
safe shutdown procedures of machinery and equipment, 4) blocking,
stopping and reducing machinery and equipment to Zero Mechanical Energy
State (ZMES), and 5) documentation of maintenance being performed, when
appropriate. Specific elements of the abatement program shall include,
but are not necessarily limited to:
1) the maintenance of current operations and maintenance manuals on all
machinery and equipment to be serviced. This includes the provision
of the appropriate manuals and/or information contained therein to
affected workers before work is begun.
2) The analysis of all machinery and equipment used in the workplace to
determine the electrical and mechanical hazards which are present.
Following such analysis, a set of documented procedures to be used
during the maintenance and operation of such machinery and equipment
shall be established.
3) The establishment and use of a documented work order system for
machinery equipment operation, maintenance, and repair. This system
shall document the repairs made to the machinery and equipment, due
to both preventive maintenance and to machinery or equipment failure,
and shall use the information derived to improve preventive
maintenance programs, reduce costs, increase on-line time, and reduce
worker injuries.
4) The establishment and use of a standard "lock-out" procedure, where
prior to the start of any work, all electrical power to the machinery
or equipment shall first be switched off. Each worker involved in
maintenance or repair operations on the machinery or equipment shall
then attach a personally-assigned lock to the electric control switch
to prevent the re-energizing of the machinery or equipment. This
procedure shall also require the worker to assure that all electric
circuits are de-energized, and that a unique situation information
tag shall be attached to the lock and machinery energizing control.
However, this specific provision shall not be required where a single
worker on a specific piece of machinery or equipment, by his immediate
proximity to the electrical control switch (i.e., within his reach),
prevents inadvertent activation of the machinery or equipment by others.
5) The implementation of a procedure that requires that all fluid energy
power sources (pressurized air or liquid) which could produce
movements of portions of the machinery or equipment to be cut off
through the use of shut off valves or other equivalent means, and the
supply lines toward the machinery or equipment reduced in pressure to
atmospheric pressure, or the machinery or equipment blocked against
any possible movement. All temperature and pressure sensors and
gauges on the affected supply lines shall be maintained in
operational condition to provide an accurate reading of the current
status.
6) The implementation of a procedure that requires that all mechanical
gravity fall potential energy within the machinery or equipment to
be reduced to zero, or as nearly so as possible, by such means as
lowering elevated machinery or equipment parts to the floor or solid
surfaces, or by cribbing and blocking them in place.
7) The implementation of a procedure that requires that all mechanical
kinetic rotating machine energy within the machinery or equipment
to be reduced to zero, or as nearly so as possible, by slowing the
rotating parts to a stop. Loose machine parts, including arms,
knives, etc., shall be blocked or secured to prevent possible injury
to workers. In lieu of this procedure, the worker may be guarded
from the rotating parts by installing temporary guards.
8) The implementation of a procedure that requires the removal of
all guards, tie offs, cribbing and blockages from the machinery or
equipment in such a manner so as to prevent worker injuries. The
machinery or equipment shall then be re-energized and run
experimentally under close supervision. After it is fully functional,
the machinery or equipment shall be formally returned to service and
the operations manager shall countersign the safety tag-out tag and
the work order.
The employer shall formally document his safe machine maintenance
program and shall develop a training program to instruct affected
maintenance and operation workers and management. The employer shall
train his workers in the provisions of this program. The training
shall be repeated as frequently as is necessary to maintain management
and worker proficiency and compliance with the procedures.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement methods.

Issued

Oct 2, 1986

Abate by

Dec 8, 1986

Penalty

Initial $160 · Current $63 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 hazards of being struck by flying objects such as joints or
drill pipe due to the insufficient and/or incomplete training
furnished to the employee(s) working on the number 1 drilling rig,
located at the Mamie Simpson number 1 wellsite in Burnt Prairie, IL,
who were working on the rotary floor without wearing head, foot and
eye personal protective equipment at all times.
Abatement of the hazard can be accomplished by the establishment of an
effective training program set up to address the recognized hazards
encountered in the oil and gas drilling industry, and by the continued
implementation and enforcement of the work rules, procedures and systems
established by the program. The major elements of such a program include
but are not limited to the following:
1) The analysis of all machinery and equipment used by employees of the
firm in the workplace environment to determine the recognized hazards
which are present. This analysis may include such established safety
and health guidelines as have been determined by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, the National institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, the International Association of
Drilling Contractors, or other such recognized organizations, but
shall not be limited exclusively to such external sources. Following
the analysis, a set of safe job procedures to be used during the
setup, operation, occasional and scheduled maintenance work, and
teardown of all oil well drilling and servicing sites, and of all
shop maintenance and transportation operations shall be established.
These safe job procedures shall be documented, and they shall be revised
as often as required to maintain a safe and healthful working
environment.
2) Following the establishment of appropriate safe job procedures, each
employee shall be trained in the recognition of the hazards
encountered as a part of his or her employment and in the
implementation of the appropriate safe job procedures to avoid such
hazards. Such training shall be presented:
I) To all employees regardless of experience, by the final abatement
date noted below;
II) To each employee at the time of his or her hire;
III) To all affected employees whenever changes in equipment or work
procedures necessitate a modification of the established safe job
procedures, and
IV) To all employees at such intervals as is necessary to maintain
employee proficiency and compliance with the procedures.
3) In conjunction with the provisions of Item 2) above, the employer
shall establish and maintain a set of effective administrative
controls so as to ensure that all employees of the firm comply with
the safe job procedures. A full description of such administrative
controls shall be made part of the training specified in Item (2)
above.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all
cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate abatement method.
ABATEMENT PLAN:
Within 30 calendar days:
Identification of the recognized hazards which are present in the
employer's workplace, and preliminary determinations of the means of
avoidance of such hazards;
Within 50 calendar days:
Formulation of the appropriate safe job procedures and the effective
administrative controls required to ensure compliance with the
procedures;
Within 60 calendar days:
Completion of the initial presentation of training to all employees,
and of the implementation of the administrative controls required
to ensure compliance with the procedures.

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Sep 22, 1986

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $94 Reduced

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Oct 6, 1986

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $94 Reduced

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Oct 21, 1986

Penalty

Initial $160 · Current $75 Reduced

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Sep 22, 1986

Penalty

Initial $40 · Current $19 Reduced

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Sep 22, 1986

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Sep 22, 1986

Penalty

Initial $40 · Current $19 Reduced

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Sep 2, 1986

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Sep 2, 1986

Issued

Aug 22, 1986

Abate by

Aug 26, 1986