OSHA Inspection: HOWARD DRILLING, LLC

Issued

Mar 24, 2011

Abate by

Apr 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · 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 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 suspended equipment that could be dislodged:
a.) Howard Drilling, Kilhoffer #27, near 1001 Rasselas Road, Wilcox, PA
15870 - On or about
October 11, 2010, and at times prior thereto, a 35 foot section of pipe
with a Chicksan swivel
attached to the top was being supported by the rig's traveling block,
reins, and elevator.  As the
supported section of pipe was spun onto the well head with a rope winch,
the Chicksan swivel
came into contact with the reins and became hung up on the reins.  As the
rope winch continued
to spin the pipe, the stationary Chicksan swivel began backing off the
pipe thread connections.
The Chicksan swivel detached from the pipe, fell approximately 28 feet to
the rig floor, and
struck an employee on the head, causing a fatal injury.
ABATEMENT NOTE:
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means to correct the
condition include but are
not limited to:
1.) Complying with API (American Petroleum Institute) RP 54 Occupational
Safety for Oil
and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, Section 9.2.13 which
states "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.";
2.) Conducting training with employees to cover, at a minimum, the
contents of Chapter 9 of
API RP 54, Chapter title Drilling and Well Servicing Rig Equipment;
3.) Conducting training with employees to cover, at a minimum, the results
of the company's
accident investigation stemming from the Kilhoffer #27 well site accident;
4.) Establishment of work rules that prohibit tools, parts, and other
materials from being kept
in the derrick or mast above the rig floor.
5.) Establishment of a job safety start-up checklist to be completed prior
to beginning work
operations on a daily basis and / or after extended periods of shutdown.

Issued

Mar 24, 2011

Abate by

Mar 29, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,100 Reduced

Issued

Mar 24, 2011

Abate by

Mar 29, 2011