OSHA Inspection: UNION DRILLING, INC.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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:    Rig drilling floor:  On or about March 6, 2012, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of a condensate/gas well used a break out tong to disconnect drilling pipe sections from each other and the Kelly.  The wire rope assembly used as the tong pull back line was damaged and used only a single wire rope clip.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being struck by a swinging tong on failure of the rope.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(i)(9)(iv):     Synthetic web slings were not immediately removed from service when there were snags, punctures, tears, or cuts:      Drilling floor:  On or about March 6, 2012, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of a condensate/gas well used two damage synethetic slings to hoist equipment and drilling pipe up to and down from the drilling floor.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being struck by the hoisted equipment or drlling pipe.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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:    Drilling rig:  On or about March 6, 2012, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of a condensate/gas well worked with and around pressurized hoses.  In the following instances, hoses had not been secured to preclude unsafe movement exposing the employees to the hazard of being struck by whipping hose ends:    a)  On the west side of the rig the main air hose to the rig did not have one connection secured.    b)  Mud pump #1; large discharge hose connection to the mud pump.    c)  Mud pump #2; small discharge hose connection to the mud pump.    d)  The rig mast mud stand pipe to the Kelly hose.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):     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      Drilling rig mast:  On or about March 6, 2012, and times prior to, some of the employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of a condensate/gas well worked on the mast mounted racking board that did not have an useable secondary means of egress.  This exposed the employees to the hazards of a blowout, and/or fire and explosion.  The American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practices for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drillinge and Servicing oOperations, RP 54, 6.10.1, requires that an auxiliary means of escape be installed on rig mast/derricks and that it provides a ready and convenient means of escape from the derrickman's working platform.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Sep 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,500 · Current $3,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(c):     Covers and/or guardrails were not provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc:    North side of the drilling rig:  On or about March 6, 2012, employees engaged in the drilling of a condensate/gas well worked with and around the unguarded in-ground reserve pit.  The pit was used store excess drilling mud, other drilling generated fluids and dispose of drilling cuttings.  This exposed the employees to the hazards of falling over 4 feet into the vertical wall pit and/or drowning.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.26(c)(2)(iv):     Ladders were not maintained in good usable condition at all times:    Shale Shaker platform:  On or about March 6, 2012, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of a condensate/oil well used a damage metal ladder to access the east end of the shale shaker platfrom.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of falling from an elevation.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Sep 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $2,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c):     Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:    Mixing area of the mudpits:  On or about March 6, 2012, some of the employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of a condensate/gas well were engaged in running the drilling mud function using corrosive materials including, but not limited to, hydrated lime.  No eyewash or shower was provided in the mud pits area.  This exposed the employees to prolong contact with the corrosive materials.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,400 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b):     Storage of material created a hazard:    East end of the wellsite:  On or about March 6, 2012,  employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of a condensate/gas well worked around and handled pipe stored on elevated pipe racks that did not have a retaining means to prevent the pipe from rolling off the racks.   This exposed the employees to the hazard of being struck by falling pipe.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5):     The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity and appropriate hazard warnings regarding the chemicals contained therein:    Northwest corner of the well site:  On or about March 6, 2012, employees engaged in the drilling of a condensate/gas well used compressed nitrogen for well control. The nitrogen was in a spherical vessel attached to the rig blow out prevention system. The container was not identified as to the contents or the hazards of the contents.