OSHA Inspection: WEATHERFORD

Issued

Dec 1, 2004

Abate by

Dec 7, 2004

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,700 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 burns from a well bore.
a) On or about June 8, 2004, the employer, Weatherford Fishing & Rental
Company did
not ensure that equipment used at the Leland Shroeder Well # 1 in Franklin
Tx was safe to
operate near the well bore. The exhaust from the engine to the power
swivel was not equipped
with a spark arrester to prevent combustible gases from being ignited. The
exhaust to the engine
of the power swivel was located less than 15 feet from the well bore.
Among other methods,
recognized and feasible means to correct this hazard include, but are not
limited to : Complying
with American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 54 9.15.3 which
states that spark
arresters or equivalent equipment shall be provided on all internal
combustion
engine exhausts
located within 100 feet of the well bore.