OSHA Inspection: PIONEER DRILLING CO. RIG #2

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1800.00 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 fire or explosion:
Employee was exposed to the hazard of fire and explosion due to the
improper
rigging of the Geronimo Emergency Escape Line and installation of the
Geronimo
Emergency Escape Device on the Geronimo Emergency Escape Line due to:
a.Geronimo Emergency Escape Device was rigged approximately ten (10)
feet above the floor of the pipe racking board which is approximately
seventy-three (73) feet above ground level with no means of safe access
to the Geronimo Emergency Escape Device provided.
b.The Geronimo Emergency Escape Line was installed improperly, in that
the upper end of the Geronimo Emergency Escape Line had a loop with
a shackle through the loop which was wrapped around the left derrick leg
on the southeast side of the derrick approximately ten (10) feet above the
floor of the pipe racking board and the load side of the escape line would
apply pressure against the threads of the shackle and threads of the pin.
c.The Geronimo Emergency Escape Line was anchored improperly, in that
only one (1) Crosby clamp was used and it was improperly installed.
This occurred on or about July 09, 1996 on Pioneer Drilling Co., Rig Number
2.  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 5, Sub-Section 5.7, Paragraph 5.7.1 of American
Petroleum Institute (API) RP 54-92, page 12.  Essential elements of this
procedure would include:
1.Staking out a securely anchored one-half 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.
2.The escape line route is to be kept clear of obstructions.
3.A safety device is to be provided to permit fast emergency exit from the
Derrickman's working platform to a safe place.
4The 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.
5.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 is fastened.

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1800.00 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 hazard of being struck by:
Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by:
a.Rotary hose with the hammer connection union and four (4) inch nipple
falling from the standpipe as a result of not having implemented at least
a semi-annual inspection program or procedure which would require the
four (4) inch nipple which threads into the gooseneck at the standpipe be
removed and the threads inspected at both ends and then rethreaded into
the standpipe gooseneck.  There was no chain secured to the rotary hose
to prevent it from falling to the rig floor nor was a chain secured to the
adjacent derrick leg for that purpose.
b.The employer failed to secure the wire rope/chain to the Manufacturer
provided lug on the gooseneck of the rotary swivel for securing the upper
part of the rotary hose, hammer connection union and the four (4) inch
nipple to prevent them from falling.
API Spec 8A, Eleventh Edition, May 1, 1985, page 8, Section 5, Sub-
Section 5.4, Paragraph 5.4.1.  "Swivels having gooseneck connections of
two (2) inches and larger shall be provided with a suitable lug containing
a 1-1/8 inch hole to accommodate the clevis of a chain having a breaking
strength of 16,000 pounds.  The location of the lug is at the choice of the
manufacturer.
API Specification 8C (Spec 8C), First Edition, January 1, 1990,
Supplement 1 (January 1, 1992), page 26, Section 7, Sub-Section 7.9,
Paragraph 7.9.6  "Gooseneck connections shall be provided with a suitable
lug containing an 1-1/2 inch (28mm) diameter hole to accommodate the
clevis of a chain having a breaking strength of 16,000 pounds (7250kg).
The location of the lug is at the choice of the manufacturer."  Paragraph
7.10.5  "Rotary hose safety chain attachments shall meet the requirements
of Section 7.9.6.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to implement a maintenance and inspection program as
addressed
in:
API RP54-92, Section 8, Sub-Section 8.2, Paragraph 8.2.1, page number
16; API Specification 7, Thirty-Seventh Edition, August 1, 1990, Section
17, Paragraph 17.7, page number 56; API Spec 8A, Eleventh Edition,
May 1, 1985, Page number 8, Section 5, Sub-Section 5.4, Paragraph
5.4.1; API RP8B, Fourth Edition, April 1979, Page 8-10, Figure 4.11,Page
C-10; API Specification 8C (Spec 8C), First Edition, January 1,
1990, Supplement 1 (January 1, 1992), Page number 26, Section 7, Sub-
Section 7.9, Paragraph 7.9.6 and Paragraph 7.10.5.
The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Drilling
Manual, Section H4, Page 1, ROTARY HOSE AND SWIVELS
INSPECTIONS which states, "All hoisting tools on the rotary drill rig
must have daily inspections followed by monthly and quarterly (more
frequent if severe operating conditions or loading is imposed) shutdown
inspections."

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $900.00 · Current $450.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $900.00 · Current $100.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $900.00 · Current $450.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1800.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $900.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

Issued

1996-10-28 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-11-01 00:00:00