OSHA Inspection: PIONEER DRILLING COMPANY

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,179 · Current $1,907 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.    On or about March 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, at Rig #35, employees involved in drilling operations were exposed to fall hazards from unguarded, uncovered pits located at the following locations:    a.  Open-end pit for shale dry shaker.    b.  Natural pit/sump hole.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,384 · Current $1,430 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(iii):     Hand soap or similar cleansing agents shall be provided.    On or about March 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, at Rig #35, employees involved in drilling operations utilized a white rented shower/toilet/lavatory (water closet) building which did not have hand soap or skin cleanser for use exposing employees to biological and pathogenic hazards.  The employer did not ensure hand soap and/or skin cleansers were made available for employee use.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(iv):     Individual hand towels or sections thereof, of cloth or paper, warm air blowers or clean individual sections of continuous cloth toweling, convenient to the lavatories, shall be provided.    On or about March 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, Rig #35, employees engaged in drilling operations utilized a white rented shower/toilet/lavatory building that was not furnished with a means by which employees could dry their hands.  The employer did not ensure a mode to dry one's hands was made available for employees use.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 22, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,740 · Current $2,244 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:    On or about March 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, northeast side of Rig #35, adjacent to the mixing hopper, employees involved in drilling work duties handle corrosive chemicals, such as, but not limited to, Austin White Chemical Hydrate - Austin White Lime and Barite, and were not provided with a sanitary and functional shower/eyewash station.

Issued

Jun 8, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,384 · Current $1,430 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4):     The employer shall assure that portable fire extinguishers are maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times except during use.    On or about March 22, 2012, and at times prior thereto, at this location, employees involved in drilling operations were exposed to struck-by and tripping hazards from unsecured portable fire extinguishers at the following locations:    a.  Designated smoking area/break area between the rig manager's trailer and crew trailer.    b.  Inside the front door of the crew trailer.    The employer did not ensure portable fire extinguisher(s) were mounted and secured.