OSHA Inspection: GREY WOLF DRILLING COMPANY, RIG#859

Issued

Aug 24, 1998

Abate by

Aug 28, 1998

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 a fire and explosion:
An employee was exposed to the hazard of fire and explosion due to the
failure
to erect a properly installed Geronimo Emergency Escape Line with an
adequate
anchor.  This occurred on or about March 5, 1998 at Rig No. 859 which was
located and being operated five (5) miles east of Gregory, Texas on Texas
Hwy
35, Gregory, Texas 78359.  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement method to correct this hazard would be installation of a
properly rigged
and secured emergency descent or other satisfactory auxiliary means of
egress,
such as specified on page 12 in Section 5, Sub-Section 5.7 Paragraph 5.7.1
of
American Petroleum Institute (API) RP 54-92.  Essential elements of this
procedure would include:
a.Installation of a securely anchored one-half (1/2) 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.
b.The escape line route is to be kept clear of obstructions.
c.A safety device is to be provided to permit fast emergency exit from the
derrickman's working platform to a safe place.
d.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.
e.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 to the derrick or
mast.
*** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***

Issued

Aug 24, 1998

Abate by

Aug 28, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,250

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:
Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by fragmented parts
of the
Demco safety relief valve, i.e. Demco safety relief valve had not been
maintained
or inspected to determine it's operability; due to failure to maintain the
mast
(derrick) rotary hose, safety relief valve and their auxiliary parts in
safe condition
as specified by API RP 54-92, Section 8, Sub-Section 8.2, paragraph 8.2.1,
page
number 16 and 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 as addressed in the International
Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Drilling Manual, Section H4,
page
number 1 ROTARY HOSE AND SWIVELS INSPECTION which states, "All
hoisting tools on the rotary drilling rig must have daily inspections
followed by
monthly and quarterly (more frequent if severe operating conditions or
loading
is imposed) shutdown inspections" and 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,
page
number 20, paragraph 8.13.3.  This alleged condition occurred on or about
March 5, 1998.
*** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***

Issued

Aug 24, 1998

Abate by

Aug 28, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,250