OSHA Inspection: SCHLUMBERGER OILFIELD SERVICES

Issued

Jul 7, 2003

Abate by

Jul 11, 2003

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,375 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 the condition(s) listed below:
(a)  On 1/8/03, at the Duke Energy Waha Gas Plant facility, an employee
was fatally injured
when a pipe being pressure tested with nitrogen ruptured, striking the
employee.  The pipe was
pressure rated for 815 pounds per square inch and was pressurized to
approximately 1500
pounds per square inch when it ruptured.  Concensus engineering standards
require that the test
pressure when using gas as a medium, not exceed the minimum specified
yield strength or 110
percent of the design strength for the material being tested.  Employees
were exposed to an
explosion hazard while checking for leaks during this pressurization
process which exceeded the
minimum yield strength for the pipe which exploded.
One feasible method of abatement, among others, would be to use the
guidelines prescribed by
the American Petroleum Industry (API) Standard 570, American National
Standard Institute
(ANSI) Standard B31.3, and ANSI Standard B31.8 which all relate to
inspection and testing of
pressure piping in petroleum and in gas transmission processes.
Abatement Certification and Documentation is required for this item.