OSHA Inspection: SILER OPERATIONS LLC

Issued

May 7, 2010

Abate by

May 19, 2010

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,050 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 a place of employment which was free from
recognized hazards
that were causing or likely to cause death or serious phyical harm to
employees in that
employees were exposed to the hazard of a sudden and unexpected
pressurized gas release.
On or about 19 Nov 2009, the employer failed to maintain control of the
Sumner 25-13-14 H-1
gas well while removing and replacing packing material around the tubing
hangar inside the
tubing spool piece. Failure of the tubing spool piece exposed employees
and other contractor
personnel to the sudden and unexpected release of natural gas under
pressure.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
would be to:
1.Develop a specific procedure for the removal of the securing/locking
pins to
include the positioning of employees and other contractor personnel to
ensure
their safety at all times.
2.Ensure that all employees and/or contractor personnel have been trained
and
understand all the tasks that need to be accomplished, including basic
well control
as it relates to the assigned tasks.
3.Establish and maintain a safety program specifically concerning the
safety of the
crew during normal well servicing operations and potential emergency
situations.
DISCLAIMERS:
1)You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2)The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases.
3)   The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate  method.