OSHA Inspection: OTS OF NEW JERSEY, LLC

Issued

Aug 24, 2012

Abate by

Sep 17, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,640 · Current $1,980 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 an employee in that employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard:    a) East Veterans Hwy & Whitesville Rd., Jackson Township, NJ:  Employees were exposed to struck by hazards while conducting directional drilling with a Ditch Witch JT 8020 Mach 1 Horizontal/Directional drilling rig.  Employees were using a 48 Ridgid steel pipe wrench to attach rods to the drill string, the entire rod assembly engaged and began to spin.  An employee was struck by the spinning rod and wrench and received serious injuries to the head and torso.  The Ditch Witch JT 8020 Mach 1 Horizontal/Directional drilling rig owners manual clearly states "! DANGER Moving tools will kill or injure.  Shut off drill string power when anyone can be struck by moving or thrown tools.  Never use pipe wrenches on drilling strings.  Observed on or about 07/06/12.    Feasible Means of Abatement:     1)  Ban the use of pipe wrenches on the drilling string rods.  2)  Shut off drill string power when employees are removing or installing rod sections and may be exposed to being struck by moving or thrown tools.  3)  Utilize the manufacture suggested Hydratong Wrenches for the installation and removal of drill string rod sections.     NOTE: THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.