OSHA Inspection: PATTERSON- UTI DRILLING CO.

Issued

May 3, 2007

Abate by

May 10, 2007

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees employmnent 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)Patterson - UTI Drilling Co. & Rig #188, Herbst C27-19, Kersey, CO: On
or before March 15, 2007, the employer did not ensure that employees
working on oil drilling rig #188 were protected from fire and explosion in
that
the auxiliary escape line (geronimo line) route was not clear of
obstructions.
This route was not clear due to two Noble Energy Production Inc. vehicles
parked underneath the termination portion of the geronimo line leaving a
clearance of only 2 1/2' between the wire rope and the top of these
vehicles.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the
hazard is to keep
the escape line route clear of obstruction in accordance with the
Recommended Practice for
Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations
API
Recommended Practice 54, 6.10.1.
Abatement note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").tion