OSHA Inspection: PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING CO LP LLLP RIG 135

Issued

2006-11-17 00:00:00

Abate by

2006-11-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00

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 struck-by hazard:
At this remote drilling rig site, the employer does not determine if
pressure is
present and if pressure is available, relieve the pressure prior to
employees
unclamping the rotating head and removing the rubber gasket.  Employees are
exposed to the hazard of being struck-by high pressure gas, drilling mud
or other
equipment related to the sudden and violent release of pressurized natural
gas.
Among other methods, one (1) feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the hazard is to:
Determine the presence of pressure by the readings on the choke
panel, open hydraulic control remote/relief (HCR) valve to see if
casing pressure is present. Then open up choke manifold and bleed
off pressure.  Determine why pressure was present, i.e., plugged
lines.  Conduct a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and follow its
guidelines prior to sending any personnel below the rotary table.

Issued

2006-11-17 00:00:00

Abate by

2006-11-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7500.00