OSHA Inspection: BP EXPLORATION ALASKA INCORPORATED

Issued

Jan 28, 2003

Abate by

Feb 10, 2003

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

General-duty citation text

AS 18.60.075(a):  Safe employment.  An employer shall do everything
necessary to
protect the life, health, and safety of employees including, but not
limited to:
complying with all occupational safety and health standards and regulations
adopted by the department;
furnishing and prescribing the use of suitable protective equipment, safety
devices, and safeguards as are prescribed for the work and work place;
adopting and prescribing control or technological procedures, and
monitoring and
measuring employee exposure in connection with hazards, as may be
necessary for
the protection of employees; and
furnishing to each employee employment and a place of employment that are
free
from recognized hazards that, in the opinion of the commissioner, are
causing or
are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to the employees.
EXAMPLE:  The employer failed to protect employees from the hazard of
explosion
from high gas pressure in the outer annulus of oil well A-22.
The employer did not ensure that procedures were followed to prevent
pressures
in the outer annulus of oil well A-22 from exceeding the 5,380 p.s.i.
bursting
strength.  An explosion occurred which destroyed the oil-well and caused
serious
injuries to an employee.
The employer referred to thermal gas expansion hazards in their
procedures, but
did not ensure that control of thermal expansion pressures was understood
by all
affected employees, and did not ensure that procedures were followed to
prevent
an explosion.