OSHA Inspection: NOBLE DRILLING SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Feb 9, 2000

Abate by

Mar 7, 2000

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of Public Law 91-596, 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 the hazard of falls.
(a)West Bank, Noble Max Smith - Employees were being
transported on/off of rig by means of personnel baskets:  The
following deficiencies were noted with the personnel platform:
i.A grab rail was not installed inside the entire
perimeter of the personnel platform.
ii.The personnel platform was not conspicuously posted
with a plate or other permanent markings which
indicates the weight of the platform and its rated
load capacity or maximum intended load.
iii.Personnel platforms were used to hoist only
materials or tools when not hoisting personnel.
iv.Employees occupying the personnel platform did not
use a body belt/harness system with lanyard
appropriately attached to the lower load block or
overhaul ball, or to a structural member  within
the personnel platform capable of supporting a fall
impact for employees using the anchorage.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods
would include:
Following basic requirements of 29 CFR 1926.550(g) concerning
suspended personnel platforms and using cranes or derricks to
hoist employees on a personnel platform only when the
erection, use, and dismantling of conventional means of
reaching the worksite would be more hazardous or is not
possible because of structural design or worksite conditions.

Issued

Feb 9, 2000

Abate by

Feb 22, 2000