OSHA Inspection: ASTEROID DRILLING CO., LLC

Issued

Jun 15, 2001

Abate by

Jun 28, 2001

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 following condition(s):
a)  Section 21, Township 6 South Range 5E, St. Landry Parish, LA -
Employees
involved in gas well operations were exposed to the hazard of being struck
by a rotary
hose due to the failure to maintain the derrick mast, rotary hose swivel
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 16.  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.  Rotary Hose and Swivel 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."
b)  Employees leased from an employee leasing firm were exposed to the
hazards of oil
and gas well operations such as, but not limited to a falling rotary hose.
The employer
had not trained or adequately instructed employees as to the hazards
associated with oil
and gas well operations as identified by API RP 54-92, Section 5,
Sub-Section 5.1,
Paragraph 5.1.1, paragraph 5.1.3 a-g, page 9.  Among other methods, one
feasible and
acceptable method to correct the hazard is to develop, establish and
implement a safety
and health program which would ensure employees are adequately instructed
in work
practices and safe practices such as the hazards associated with oil and
gas well
operations. This safety and health program shall require observation of a
new employee's
work performance and be maintained until the applicable supervisor is
satisfied that the
employee can fill the position in a safe and effective manner.

Issued

Jun 15, 2001

Abate by

Jul 5, 2001

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600