OSHA Inspection: SCORPION EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION INC RIG #1

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 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 a fire and explosion hazard:
A.Employer did not erect a Geronimo Emergency Escape Line with a
properly installed Geronimo Emergency Escape device at Rig Number 1,
exposing employees to the hazard of fire and explosion:
This occurred on June 17 2005, at Scorpion Exploration and Production,
Inc., Rig No. 1.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard would be installation of a properly rigged and secured
emergency descent or other satisfactory auxiliary means of egress, such
as specified in Section 6, Sub-Section 6.10 Paragraph 6.10.1 of the
American Petroleum Institute (API) RP54-99, Third Edition, August 1999.
Essential elements of this procedure would include:
1.Staking out a securely anchored one-half inch wire rope escape
line attached to the derrick or mast so as to provide a ready and
convenient means of escape from the Derrickman's working
platform.
2.The escape line route is to be kept clear of obstructions.
3.A safety device is to be provided to permit fast emergency exit
from the Derrickman's working platform to a safe place.
4.The tension on the escape line is to be periodically checked and
adjusted to assure a safe landing and to allow the Derrickman to
stop twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) feet from the anchor point.
5.The ground anchor point of the escape line is to be located a
minimum lateral distance from the derrick or mast equal to the
height above ground level to the point where the escape line is
fastened.
B.On June 17, 2005, at this well site, this employer did not have the rig
drill floor attended by a person qualified in well control procedures at
all
times during operations at Rig Number 1, exposing employees to the
hazard of fire and explosion.
This occurred on or about June 17, 2005 on Scorpion Exploration and
Production, Inc., Rig Number 1.  Among other methods, one feasible and
acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to have
theToolpusher and Driller trained in Well Control Procedures, such as
specified in Section 6, Paragraph 6.1.2 of American Petroleum Institute
(API), RP54, Third Edition, August 1999.  Essential elements of this
procedure would include:
1.Personnel should be trained in basic well control as needed.
2.Blowout Preventor drills should be conducted and noted on the
daily drilling report.
3.Instruction of the driller's or crew chief's responsibility for the
safety of the crew and equipment during normal operations and
possible emergencies.
4.When drilling or well servicing operations are in progress on a
well where there is any indication the well will flow, the rig shall
have on the rig floor a safety valve (stabbing valve) with
connections suitable for use with each size and type tool joint or
tubing connection being used on the job.

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 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 struck-by hazards:
A.On June 17, 2005, at this well site, employees were exposed to struck-by
hazards involved with sudden pressure release in that the employer did
not:
1.ensure the installation of clamp and safety chain(s) for hammer
connection unions at each end of the high pressure vibrator 4 inch
mud hose;
2.lack of a protective cover cap for safety relief valve pin on the
Wilson 500 Mud Pump;
3.regularly conduct and document the inspection of critical
mechanical parts (threaded and otherwise) including but not limited
to the mud pump pressure relief valve, four inch nipple at the
standpipe and swivel gooseneck and four inch hammer connection
unions at each;
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the hazard is to initiate and maintain an inspection program with
written documentation for the high pressure equipment associated with the
mud pumps.  Equipment must be installed and maintained in good
operating condition in accordance with the American Petroleum Institute's
Recommended Practice 54 Section 9, Sub Section 9.13, Paragraph 9.13.3,
9.13.4 and 9.13.11 (Third Edition, August 1999).
B.On June 17, 2005, at this well site, the employer failed to follow good
engineering practices in the guying and anchoring of the drilling rig
derrick structure prior to commencing operations:
1.Improperly installed crosby clip(s) on 9/16-inch wire rope guyline
to crown of mast (derrick), there is only one crosby clip.  Lack of
thimble in chain link to prevent crushing of wire rope guyline.
2.Improperly installed crosby clip(s) on 1/2-inch wire rope guyline
to the East corner of pipe racking board.
3.Four foot pipe placed underground with 1-inch wire rope through
it and chain secured around wire rope.  One crosby clip used at
ground level.
4.Use of open chain hooks on mast (derrick) guyline.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the hazard is to follow guidelines described in the American
Petroleum Institute's (API) Recommended Practice 54, Section 9, Sub
Section 9.6, Paragraph 9.6.3 (August, 1999) and API 4-G Section 5,
Paragraph 5.5 First Edition, January 1992.

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 29, 2005

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Dec 15, 2005

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $720 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 29, 2005

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $720 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $720 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,200 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $720 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Dec 14, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $6,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 18, 2005

Abate by

Nov 25, 2005

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced