OSHA Inspection: ERICKSON CONTRACT SURVEYING, INC.

Issued

2010-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2010-06-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2800.00 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 and crushing hazards:
(a) Employees were exposed to potential falling object and struck-by
hazards from
drilling pipes (and related equipment) while engaged in seismographic
drilling operations.
On March 5th, 2010, an employee of Erickson Contract Surveying, Inc. was
engaged in
seismographic drilling operations approximately 3 miles north of Beach,
North Dakota.
The driller and his helper were pulling 2 7/8-inch pipe out of the hole
utilizing the draw
works on the rig. As they were placing the 20-foot section of pipe on the
"beaver slide",
the fast plug failed or released the pipe and the pipe fell, striking a
third employee on
the head causing fatal injuries.
Abatement Note:
Among other methods, some feasible and effective means of abatement would
be for the
employer to:
1.  Follow the inspection and maintenance criteria established in The
American
Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 4G: Recommended
Practice for
Use and Procedures for Maintenance, and Repair of Drilling and Well
Servicing
Structures, and repair and/or replace any and all components found to be
unserviceable.
2.  Implement procedures for employees engaged in seismographic drilling
operations
that identify the "danger zone" and restrict access to that zone during
operations that
present an overhead hazard.
3.  Ensure that all employees engaged in seismographic drilling operations
where
potential falling object and/or struck-by hazards exist are adequately
protected from those
hazards.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").tion

Issued

2010-05-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2010-05-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2800.00 Reduced