OSHA Inspection: GREY WOLF DRILLING COMPANY, LP

Issued

Aug 30, 2007

Abate by

Apr 18, 2008

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $4,000 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)Grey Wolf Drilling Company, LP at Rig 12 Hells Gulch Fed #2-15,
Collbran, CO
81625:  On or before 06/21/07, the employer did not correct the following
"struck by"
hazards:
1)the employer did not ensure the breakout tong lines were securely
attached to the
derrick mast.  On June 17, 2007, the snub line bolt and nut, used at the
mast
anchorpoint, were not adequately secured.  When the snub line detached, the
breakout line came in behind the floor hand, and slammed him into the
tongs set
on the drill string.  The floorhand experienced broken facial bones and
teeth;
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is
stated in
API Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.9.4, which provides that, "All tongs
should be securely attached to a suitable fixed structure using a wire
rope or a
stiff arm."
2)the elevated sheaves used with both air tuggers were not secured with
safety lines.
Although the sheaves were set above a mast horizontal beam, this beam would
not stop the sheaves from falling if the shackles used at the elevated
anchorage
point were to fail;
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is
stated in
API Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.2.1, which provides that, "Derricks,
masts, and their auxiliary parts shall be substantially constructed to
conform to
good engineering practice and maintained in a safe condition."  Section
9.2.8 also
provides that, "Bolts, nuts, and pins on elevators, wire rope, and
catlines,
as well
as sheave and other anchor bolts in the derrick or mast, should be
secured."
3)the rotary drilling line slip-and-cut practices exceeded the
manufacturer's
recommendations.  The manufacturer of the drilling line, Broderick and
Bascom,
recommended a maximum of 2,300 ton-miles between cuts, with a maximum cut
length of 135 feet.  The ton-mile logs showed up to 2,543 accumulated
ton-miles
between cuts, with an accompanying cut length of up to 208 feet, for 1 -
1/4
6X19S RTY RR XIP IWRC wire rope;
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is
stated in
API Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.6.6, which provides that, "When
calculations indicate ton-mile limits have been reached, or visual
inspections show
breaks, crushing, or damage, the wire rope shall be slipped, cut, or
replaced."
4)the wire rope used with the drill line guide was in need of replacement;
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is
stated in
API Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.6.3, which provides that, "Wire
ropes
used as standing ropes, such as guylines, escape lines, and pendant lines
should
be removed from service when any of the following conditions exist:
Three (3) broken wires are found within one lay length;
Two (2) broken wires are found at the end connection in the strand
valley...
Evidence of kinking, crushing, cutting, cold working, or bird caging is
observed;"
5)The wire rope used with the breakout tongs was in need of replacement;
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is
stated in
API Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.9.7, which provides that, "Tongs
should be properly maintained."
6)a frequent inspection of the rig floor was not conducted by a qualified
person on
or before June 17, 2007, resulting in the floorhand injury referenced in
incident
#1 above.  A frequent inspection of the rig floor was not conducted by a
qualified
person on or before June 21, 2007, resulting in instances 2, 3, 4, and 5
referenced above.
Among methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is stated in
API
Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.16.1, which provides that, "Critical
equipment should be periodically inspected as recommended by the
manufacturer
or in accordance with recognized engineering practices."  Section 9.16.3
also
provides that, "Other types of inspection should be conducted by qualified
personnel."
Conditions exposed employees to struck by hazards.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for
this item (See
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").