OSHA Inspection: EL PASO PRODUCTION COMPANY

Issued

Apr 16, 2003

Abate by

Apr 22, 2003

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

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 involved in changing the flow of pressurized gas from the plugged
manual choke manifold to the hydraulic choke manifold were exposed to the
hazard of being struck by high pressure gas and sand or equipment related
to a
sudden and violent release of pressurized natural gas.
Among other methods, one (1) feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the hazard is to improve work practices and communications between
all
parties on site.  The completion of a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) prior to
employees taking actions as recommended in the International Association of
Drilling Contractors (IADC) Accident Prevention Reference Guide as well as
the
employer's safety and health program would facilitate the employer meeting
this
objective.