OSHA Inspection: MOUNTAIN STATES CASING COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Jul 20, 2011

Abate by

Aug 7, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,500 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)Mountain States Casing Company, LLC, Noble Energy, Inc. well
site, Bashor PC AA09-22, Cade Drilling Rig #22, Galeton,
Colorado: On and before 2/28/11, the employer did not ensure that
prior to pumping drilling fluid through a pipe and hose assembly into a
wellbore, the 2 inch fill up line was adequately secured to prevent
unsafe movement. An employee was seriously injured after a 30 foot
long section of hose blew out of the hole. The hose was not equipped
with a safety cable on each end of a high pressure 2 inch hose. When
the pump was engaged, the approximate pressure was 500 PSI, the hose
came out the hole, releasing mud on the rig floor and subsequent hose
whipping action.
b)Mountain States Casing Company, LLC, Noble Energy, Inc. well
site, Bashor PC AA09-22, Cade Drilling Rig #22, Galeton,
Colorado: On and before 2/28/11, the employer did not ensure the
hammer union attached to a 2 inch fill up line was secure or anchored
down causing a sudden release of pressure and, violent whipping action
when pumping fluid in the wellbore.
Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this hazard is to adopt API Recommended Practice 54.
Section
9.13.3 states the following. Each section of a high pressure rigid line
should be
secured by appropriate means to prevent movement should the line fail.
Flexible high
pressure hoses should be properly secured to prevent unsafe movement. Other
suspended hydraulic, air, or electrical lines should be appropriately
secured.
Additionally, pressure relief valves should remain open during operations.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item
(See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").