OSHA Inspection: NABORS DRILLING USA, INC., RIG #729

Issued

Dec 12, 1996

Abate by

Dec 16, 1996

Penalty

Initial $4,500

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 and 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 eight (8)
to nine (9) feet above the floor of the pipe racking board on the outside
of the guardrails which is approximately one hundred thirty-one (131) to
one hundred thirty-two (132) feet above ground level with no means of
safe access to the Geronimo Emergency Escape Device, i.e. employee
would have to climb over the top of the top guardrail and then climb down
the outside of the guardrails in order to access the Geronimo Emergency
Escape Device while holding on to the guardrail with one (1) hand and
with one (1) foot on the top of the guardrail, then use his free hand to
grab the upright of the Geronimo Emergency Escape Device and place the
"T" Bar between his legs.  Once this had been completed, he would have
to hold on to the "T" Bar and then release his other hand from the
guardrail and then grab the brake handle on the Geronimo Emergency
Escape Device as he was making his descent.
b.The Geronimo Emergency Escape Line was anchored improperly, i.e. the
end of the Geronimo Emergency Escape Line had a loop formed in it with
the end of the wire rope being secured alongside of the live end of the
Geronimo Emergency Escape Line with three (3) properly installed crosby
clamps.  This loop had been placed over the top of the steel stake and was
resting on top of two (2) steel formed eyes which had been welded to the
side of the steel stake.  On one (1) side of the steel stake where the wire
rope was resting on top of the steel eye, a shackle had been placed over
the wire rope and through the steel eye to prevent the Geronimo
Emergency Escape Line from coming off of the top of the steel stake.
This approximate eight (8) foot steel stake had been driven into disturbed
soil.
This occurred on or about August 22, 1996 on Nabors Drilling U.S.A., Inc.,
Rig
Number 729.  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.
4.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.
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

Dec 12, 1996

Abate by

Dec 16, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,350

Issued

Dec 12, 1996

Abate by

Dec 16, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,350

Issued

Dec 12, 1996

Abate by

Dec 16, 1996

Penalty

Initial $2,250

Issued

Dec 12, 1996

Abate by

Dec 16, 1996

Issued

Dec 12, 1996

Abate by

Dec 16, 1996