OSHA Inspection: TRINIDAD DRILLING LLC

Issued

Sep 22, 2011

Abate by

Sep 28, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,000

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 physical harm to
employees in that
employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard:
The employer did not ensure that the pneumatic power tongs/pipe spinners
suspended slightly
above the rig floor (from a wire rope) were securely attached to the mast
of the rig to ensure
protection from accidental horizontal displacement.  The pipe spinner was
tied back at a slight
angle using rope, which was tied to the mast of the rig, exposing
employees on the rig floor to
a 350 lb struck-by hazard.  This violation was documented on August 16,
2011.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement of
this hazard would be
to employ the use of wire rope or a stiff arm to securely attach the
pneumatic power tongs to
a suitable fixed structure, as suggested in Section 9, Subsection 9.9,
Paragraph 9.9.4 of API
Recommended Practice 54: Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for
Oil and Gas Well
Drilling and Servicing Operations, Third Edition, August 1999, in order to
assure that well
operations involving the rig are not to be commenced until the rig is
rigged up in a safe manner
per Section 6, Subsection 6.3, Paragraph 6.3.2 of the aforementioned
document.