OSHA Inspection: LEED ENERGY SERVICES

Issued

Jun 15, 2007

Abate by

Jul 20, 2007

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

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 struck by hazards:
a)  Leed Energy Services, EnCana well site CO4, N. Piceance, Parachute,
Colorado: The employer had not ensured that prior to pumping high pressured
water through a pipe and hose assembly into a wellbore to thaw an ice
plug, each
section of line was adequately secured to prevent unsafe movement.  On or
about
4/19/2007, an employee was seriously injured after a 20 foot long (3000 PSI
rated) section of rotary hose separated from its coupling.
The severed rotary hose was equipped with a "safety cable" rated for a
maximum
working pressure of 200 PSI.  While pumping water into the wellbore at
approximately 2900 PSI, the rotary hose failed causing a violent liquid
pressure
release and subsequent hose whipping action.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to follow the "corrective actions" section listed in the
"Safety Alert"
(#00-24 & #98-23) bulletins published by the International Association of
Drilling
Contractors (IADC) thereby ensuring that properly rated, placed, and
secured
safety clamps are utilized on all high pressure hose.
b)  Leed Energy Services, EnCana well site CO4, N. Piceance, Parachute,
Colorado:  On or about 4/19/2007, while employees of the company were using
a Gardner Denver brand tri plex pump to inject water under high pressure
into
a wellbore, a 3000 pound rated rotary hose separated from the coupling
assembly
causing a sudden release of pressure and, violent whipping action. The
pressure
relief device on the pump was set to discharge at 5000 PSI while pumping
water
through a rotary hose designed for a maximum working pressure of 3000 PSI.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to follow the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended
Practice 54, paragraph 9.13.6 which states the following:  Pressure relief
devices
shall be set to discharge at a pressure equal to or less than the rated
working
pressure of any pump, piping, hose, or fitting that the device is to
protect.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this
item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification

Issued

Jun 15, 2007

Abate by

Jun 20, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,190 Reduced