OSHA Inspection: PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING CO LP

Issued

2005-02-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2005-03-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1700.00

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 hazard of:
a)  For the period of time up to and including 18 Nov 04, the employer did
not always
ensure that the valves listed below were identified as to their purpose
and their
appropriate position. This exposed employees to the hazards and injuries
related to the
unexpected reactions of opening or closing the incorrect valve(s).
Instances:
1)Blow-out Preventers. Accumulator valves were not all identified as to
their
purpose or what position they were in (open/closed).
2)Blow-out Preventers. BOP control valves were not identified as to their
function.
American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP54 Paragraph 6.3.2
states
that:
"Well Operations involving the rig  shall not  be commenced until the rig
is rigged up
in a safe manner."
American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP53 Paragraph 12.5.3f
states that
"Control valves must be clearly marked to indicate (1) which preventer or
choke line
valve each control valve operates, and (2) the position of the valves
(i.e. open, closed,
neutral)."
American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP54 Paragraph 6.4.11
states that:
"All blowout preventer control lines should be clearly identified."
American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP54 Paragraph 7.2.2
states that:
"...other fire fighting equipment shall be suitably located, readily
accessible, and plainly
labeled as to their type and method of operation."
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this
hazard would be to:
1) Ensure that all accumulator valves and BOP valves are identified as to
their
purpose and their position.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate method.

Issued

2005-02-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2005-03-07 00:00:00

Issued

2005-02-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2005-03-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1700.00

Issued

2005-02-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2005-03-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1700.00