OSHA Inspection: UNION DRILLING, INC.

Issued

Nov 9, 2006

Abate by

Nov 20, 2006

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer does not
furnish employment and a place of employment which are free from
recognized hazards that are
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that
employees are exposed to
THE HAZARD OF BEING STRUCK-BY falling oil rigs. Recent instances of this
violation
include:
a)Baker Road Drilling Site, on or about 05/12/06: The employer did not
ensure
that wind guy anchors supporting the derrick structure of the drilling rig
were installed to withstand a minimum tension load of 8500 pounds, in that
3 of 4 that were pull tested and failed to meet the 8500 psi requirement
(A-
3=7800 psi, A-4=7800 psi, A-2=3800 psi and A-1 failed during the
accident).
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to;
1). Follow the manufacturer's operating guide for Ideco KM-103-224-KH
drilling rigs, para I Rigging Up, item A 14.
2). Operators guide refers to American Petroleum Institute (API) as an
additional means of developing methods of compliance with RP4G,
Recommended Practice for Use and Procedures for Inspection, Maintenance,
and Repair of Drilling and Well Servicing Structures, April 2004, Para
14.4.
b)Baker Road Drilling Site, on or about 05/12/06: The employer did not
ensure
that the derrick structure for the drilling rig was rigged up in a safe
manner,
in that visible markers were not placed on each wind guy wire to prevent
accidental contact with heavy equipment.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to;
1). Comply with American Petroleum Institute, RP4G, Recommended
Practice for Use and Procedures for Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of
Drilling and Well Servicing Structures, para 14.5f which requires visible
markers on each guy wire.
2). Comply with employers Accident Prevention Handbook, page 6.3D which
requires that flags be placed on all guy wires.
c)Baker Road Drilling Site, on or about 05/12/06: The employer did not
ensure
that an adequate "chain-around" system was installed when the appropriate
tension was placed on the wind guys.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to
follow the manufacturers recommendations of utilizing a "chain-around"
system for the come-a-long tensioning system for the wing guys.
d)Baker Road Drilling Site, on or about 05/12/06: The employer did not
ensure
that anchors were installed in a safe manner to prevent standing water over
the anchor shaft.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to
mound up soil and tightly pack it around the anchor shaft. Operators guide
refers to API as an additional means of developing methods of compliance
with RP4G, Recommended Practice for Use and Procedures for Inspection,
Maintenance, and Repair of Drilling and Well Servicing Structures, para
14.4d.
e)Baker Road Drilling Site, on or about 05/12/06: The employer did not
ensure
that thimbles were used at the ends of wire ropes securing the wind guy
anchoring system to the derrick structure, and that the U-bolt wire rope
clamps were installed in accordance with manufacturers instructions (U
section contacts dead end).
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable method of abatement is to:
1). Follow the U-bolt manufacturers (Crosby) installation instructions.
2). Follow the American Petroleum Institute RP 9G, August 2002, page 10,
use of wire ropes.
Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must provide documentation
that these violations have been abated within 10 calendar days of the date
it
receives the citation.

Issued

Nov 9, 2006

Abate by

Nov 20, 2006

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer does not
furnish employment and a place of employment which are free from
recognized hazards that are
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that
employees are exposed to a
FIRE HAZARD. A recent instance of this violation occurred when:
a)Baker Road Drilling Site, on or about 05/12/06; The employer parked a
pick-
up truck within 100-feet from the wellbore.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to:
1). Follow American Petroleum Institute (API) RP54, the Recommended
Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil & Gas Well Drilling Operations,
dated August 1999, paragraph 18.5.
2). Follow the employers Accident Prevention Handbook, paragraph 6.4C.
Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must provide documentation
that this violation has been abated within 10 calendar days of the date it
receives the citation.

Issued

Nov 9, 2006

Abate by

Nov 20, 2006

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000