OSHA Inspection: RUSK COUNTY WELL SERVICE

Issued

Feb 14, 2008

Abate by

Feb 21, 2008

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $875

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 working
from elevated heights within a well service rig derrick:
On or about January 16, 2008 and times prior to, at Rusk County Well
Service Rig #2, an
employee worked from the rod basket where an emergency escape descent
device was not
adequately installed and available for use.  The employee was exposed to a
potential fall
from the rod basket in the event of a fire or explosions at the drilling
rig platform.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
would be to secure the anchor and place it at a minimum distance from the
derrick or mast
two times the height of the work platform and the anchor should be able
withstand a pull of
at least 3,00 pounds, as specified in the American Petroleum Institute
Recommended Practice
for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing
Operations, API
Recommended Practice 54, Third Edition, August 1999, Section 6.10.1,
Auxiliary Escape.ry