OSHA Inspection: BRONCO DRILLING COMPANY

Issued

May 31, 2007

Abate by

Jun 13, 2007

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish a place of employment which was 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)Bronco Drilling Company at Petro Hunter - Bronco Rig 23, Parachute, CO
81635:  On or before April 19, 2007, the employer did not secure (tether)
a two inch
chickson swivel with a cable or chain clamped to the derrick or mast leg
to prevent it
from falling.  The employer connected a chickson swivel, manufactured by
American
Block Mfg. Co., Style 50, serial number 1387, to a swedge, with the swedge
connected to a 40 foot long 9 5/8 inch casing pipe.  This chickson swivel
was not
connected to a 2 inch high pressure rotary hose on the other end.  The
travelling
blocks raised the pipe and chickson swivel 40 feet to make a joint.  When
the power
tongs turned the casing pipe, the chickson swivel caught against the bail,
and
a part of
it unscrewed.  The part that separated weighed about 25 pounds, and fell
about 40
feet, striking an employee on the hard hat, and resulting in broken
vertebrae.
Condition exposed employees to struck by hazards.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (See
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is
stated in API
Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.7.7, which provides that, "The pump end
of the rotary
hose should be securely fastened to the derrick or mast by a cable or by a
chain clamped to
the hose and to the derrick or mast leg.  The swivel end of the hose
should be secured by a
similar cable or chain, with the other end of the cable or chain affixed
to the swivel."  In
addition, Section 9.2.13 provides that, "Tools, parts, and other materials
shall not be kept in
the derrick or mast above the rig floor unless they are in use and
precautions are taken to
prevent them from falling."
Abatement Note:  All chains, cables, and connecting parts to e.g. sheaves
are required to be
rated or pull tested to ensure these parts can handle the loads placed on
them, along with an
appropriate safety factor.