OSHA Inspection: RINGO DRILLING I, L.P.

Issued

Nov 17, 2011

Abate by

Dec 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $1,290 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer does not
furnish employment and a place of employment which are free from
recognized hazards that
are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees
in that employees
are exposed to falls from using damaged reinforced plastic step ladders to
access upper and
lower work areas when they are not in the open and locked position:
a)Wellhead cellar area of drilling rig #17: The employer allows
employee(s) to
use a step ladder in the closed position on drilling rig #17. On June 2,
2011
and at times prior thereto, employee(s) were exposed to fall hazards from
using a 4 foot reinforced plastic step ladder to access the cellar area of
the
well head (fall distance of approximately 4 feet 6 inches to the ground
below).
The ladder was in the closed position and leaning against the wall.
Employee(s) use this ladder to get into and out of the cellar while
performing
nipple up and nipple down operations.
b)Platform area above wellhead of drilling rig #17:  The employer allows
employee(s) to use a step ladder in the closed position on drilling rig
#17. On
June 2, 2011 and at times prior thereto, employee(s) were exposed to fall
hazards from using a 10 foot reinforced plastic step ladder to access the
platform area above the well head (fall distance of approximately 7 feet
to the
ground below or approximately 11 feet 6 inches to the bottom of the
cellar).
The ladder was in the closed position and leaning against the platform.
Employee(s) use this ladder to access platform to adjust the turnbuckles
on the
guide that keeps the drill pipe plumb during drilling operations.
c)Platform area above wellhead of drilling rig #17: The employer allows
employee(s) to use a 10 foot step ladder that is damaged. On June 2, 2011
and
at times prior thereto, employee(s) were exposed to fall hazards from
using a
10 foot reinforced plastic step ladder to access the platform area above
the
well head (fall distance of approximately 7 feet to the ground below or
approximately 11 feet 6 inches to the bottom of the cellar). The step
ladder has
damage to the upper side rail and is bent. Employee(s) use this ladder to
access platform to adjust the turnbuckles on the guide that keeps the
drill pipe
plumb during drilling operations.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement is to use the
ladders in
accordance with provisions stipulated in ANSI A14.5-2000 for Portable
Reinforced Plastic
Ladders, para.9.3.1.2 and 9.4.2 as applicable. Essential elements include
but are not limited
to the following: Step ladders shall not be used in the closed position.
Single or straight
ladders should be used. Damaged ladders need to be removed from service
and destroyed or
clearly marked not to use until repaired by a competent mechanic.
Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days, the employer
must submit an
abatement plan describing the actions it is taking to ensure employee(s)
are not exposed to
the hazards of falling from step ladders being used as single step ladders
and allowing
damaged ladders to continue to be utilized.

Issued

Nov 17, 2011

Abate by

Dec 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $1,290 Reduced

Issued

Nov 17, 2011

Abate by

Dec 7, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $1,290 Reduced

Issued

Nov 17, 2011

Abate by

Dec 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 17, 2011

Abate by

Dec 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $27,500 · Current $20,625 Reduced

Issued

Nov 17, 2011

Abate by

Dec 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $55,000 · Current $27,500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 17, 2011

Abate by

Dec 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $27,500 · Current $20,625 Reduced