OSHA Inspection: SOUTH TEXAS DRILLING & EXPLORATION, INC. RIG#6

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $1,000 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 a fire and explosion:
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 26, 1998 at Rig Number 6 which was
located and being operated seven (7) miles North on County Road 102,
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 feet from the anchor point.
e.The ground point of the escape line 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

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,000 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 a struck by hazard:
Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by fragmented parts
of the
Crestex safety relief valve, model number 2084 which was located on the
Gardner
Denver PZ9 mud pump, i.e. Crestex safety relief valve, model number 2084
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 26, 1998.
*** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Oct 2, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $800 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $100 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Oct 12, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 14, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 22, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 22, 1998

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 13, 1998

Issued

Sep 9, 1998

Abate by

Sep 17, 1998