OSHA Inspection: MENDENHALL DRILLING, INC.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $816 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:    Mud pump area:  On or about August 22, 2012, and times prior to, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well worked around high pressure drilling mud hoses.  The hoses were not secured to preclude unsafe movement.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being struck by whipping hose end.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $816 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1):     Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:    West side of the drilling rig floor:  On or about August 22, 2012, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well worked on the drilling floor where the v door opening was unguarded.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of falling over 4 feet to the ground or the catwalk.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(4):     Safeguard(s) designed to protect employees during an emergency (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting), were not in proper working order at all times:    Drilling rig derrick:  On or about August 22, 2012, and times prior to, employees were operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well with some working on the rig derrick.  The derrick mounted racking board had a secondary means of egress system (Geronimo) that had not been completely installed and was not useable.  This exposed the employees working on the derrick to hazards of fire and explosion.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(e):      Defective or damaged personal protective equipment was used:    Drilling rig derrick:  on or about August 22, 2012, and times prior, employees working on a drilling rig derrick during the drilling of an oil/gas well used a retractable lanyard during the climbing of the derrick ladder and while work on the derrick board.  The lanyard's steel cable was damage exposing the employees to the hazard of falling

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,040 · Current $1,224 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1):     The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    Drilling site and rig:  On or about August 22, 2012, and times prior, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well were not wearing protective eyewear.  This exposed them to the hazards of being struck in the eyes by flying objects generated by the drilling activities and eye injury from corrosives chemicals.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Mar 4, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $612 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:    Drilling mud mixing area:  On or about August 22, 2012, and times prior to, employees operating the drilling mud mixing operation during the drilling of an oil/gas well used corrosive materials such as hydrated lime and caustic soda beads.  They were not provided with an eyewash and shower.  This exposed employees to hazards from contact with corrosive materials.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $816 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1):     One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    Drilling rig:  On or about August 22, 2012, and times prior, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well used inadequately guarded equipment in the following instances.  These exposed the employees to the hazards of being struck by moving parts and flying objects.    a)  The mud pump stroke rod covers were missing allowing access to the receprocating rods.    b)  The mud pump pressure relief valve cover was removed exposing the shear pin.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $816 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1):     Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section:    Drilling rig:  On or about August 22, 2012, employees engaged in the operation of a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well worked with and around equipment that had unguarded and inadequately guarded pulleys and belts.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being caught in an in running nip point in the following instances:    a)  The mud pump drive belts and engine pulley guard had a section removed.    b)  The mud pump lubrication pump belt and and lower pulley was unguarded.    c)  The drilling floor engine fan and alternator pulleys and belts were partially guarded.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i):     Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt:    Drilling rig:  On or about August 22, 2012, employees engaged in the operation of a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well worked with and around equipment that had  inadequately guarded pulleys and belts.  The mud pump drive belts and engine pulley guard had a section removed.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being caught in an in running nip point.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 25, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i):     Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o)(a)(LOCATION)(IDENTIFY SPECIFIC OPERATION(S) AND/OR CONDITIONS)(DESCRIBE HAZARD(S) WHERE NECESSARY)    Drilling rig:  On or about August 22, 2012, employees engaged in the operation of a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well worked with and around equipment that had unguarded and inadequately guarded pulleys and belts.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being caught in an in running nip point in the following instances:    a)  The mud pump lubrication pump belt and and lower pulley was unguarded.    b)  The drilling floor engine fan and alternator pulleys and belts were partially guarded.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 15, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(c)(14):     The employer used slings without affixed and legible identification markings:    Drilling rig floor:  On or about August 22, 2012, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well used the drilling floor mounted hydraulic hoist to lift equipment and drilling pipe.  The hoist line chain sling did not have an identification means attached.

Issued

Feb 7, 2013

Abate by

Feb 15, 2013

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:    East side of the drilling rig:  On or about August 22, 2012, employee were operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well.  The rig diesel engines were fueled from a trailer mounted diesel tank that was not marked as to it contents and the hazards of its contents as fire and skin contacts.