OSHA Inspection: NABORS DRILLING USA, INC., RIG #16

Issued

Feb 20, 1998

Abate by

Feb 24, 1998

Penalty

Initial $7,000

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 a struck by hazard:
a.Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by a configuration
of pressurized steel fittings along with an Oteco five thousand (5,000)
psig
gate valve which had been connected to the right side of a sweep "Tee",
by a high pressure two (2) inch collar being threaded onto a two (2) inch
nipple which extended out from a four (4) inch to two (2) inch swedge in
the standpipe assembly. The employer did not maintain the pipe threads
on this two (2) inch nipple and high pressure two (2) inch collar in good
operating condition as specified by API RP 54-92, Section 8, Sub-Section
8.13, Paragraph 8.13.3, page number 20.  Among other methods, one
feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to
implement a maintenance and inspection program to ensure the integrity
of the pipe threads and pipe fittings threads along with ensuring that in
normal operations, pumps, piping, hoses, valves, and other fittings shall
not be operated at pressures greater than their rated working pressure and
shall be maintained in good operating condition.  Test pressures shall not
exceed the design test pressure.  Pumps, piping, hoses and safety relief
devices shall be of a design that meets requirements of the operating
conditions to be encountered such as specified by API RP 54-92, Section
8, Sub-Section 8.13, Paragraph 8.13.3, page number 20.  This alleged
condition occurred on or about August 22, 1997.
b.Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by a configuration
of pressurized steel fittings along with an Oteco five thousand (5,000)
psig
gate valve.  The employer had not prohibited careless acts, nor properly
trained or adequately instructed employees as to the hazards associated
with working on pressurized piping and pipe fittings as identified by API
RP 54-92, Section 5, Sub-Section 5.1, Paragraph 5.1.1, Paragraph 5.1.3
a, b and c.  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this hazard is to develop, establish and implement a
safety and health program which would prohibit careless acts and ensure
employees are adequately instructed in work procedures and safe practices
such as the hazards associated with working on pressurized piping and
pipe fittings.  This safety and health program shall require observation of
new employee work performance be maintained until the applicable
supervisor is satisfied that the employee can fill the position in a safe
and
effective manner.  This alleged condition occurred on or about August 22,
1997.
*** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***