OSHA Inspection: CATOOSA TEST FACILITY

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Feb 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $960 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 #3 mud pump #1 area:  On or about September 19, 2012, and times prior to, employees operating the rig worked around and maintained the rig mud system.  Mud pump #1 high pressure discharge hoses did not have restraints installed at the hose connections exposing the employees to the hazard of being struck by a whipping hose end.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Mar 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,440 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:    Drilling rigs 3 and 11:  On or about September 19, 2012, employees operating two drilling rigs in support of oilfield drilling technology development worked on areas of the rig that did not have guard rails installed and no other form of fall protection was used.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of falls over 4 feet in the following instances:    a)  Rig #3 V door opening.    b)  Rig #11 V door opening.    c)  Rig #3 mud mixing platform.    d)  Rig #11 mud mixing platform.    e)  Rig #3 cat walk.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Feb 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.27(d)(5):     Ladder safety devices where not used on tower, water tank, and chimney ladders over 20 feet in unbroken length in lieu of cage protection:    Drilling rigs derrick:  On or about September 19, 2012, and times prior to, employees working on the derricks of the drilling rigs accessed the derrick uncaged ladders to reach the derrick work positions without ladder safety devices installed.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of falling from the elevated ladders.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Feb 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):     Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered    On or about September 19, 2012, and times prior to, the use of personal protective equipment was lacking for employees engaged in the operation and maintenance of an oil/gas drilling technology development support facility .  This exposed the employees to the hazards of corrosive chemical contact, vehicle accidents, and falls in the following instances:    a)  Employees involved in mixing drilling mud operations that used corrosive material did not utilize personal protective equipment.    b)  Employees operated a backhoe that was missing its seat and seatbelts.    c)  Employees working the drilling rigs derrick boards were not using fall protection equipment.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Apr 4, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,440 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(ii):     The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training required by paragraph (l), except as permitted by paragraph (l)(5), prior to permitting an employee to operate a forklift:    On or about September 19, 2012, and times prior to, employees engaged in the operation of the drilling rig used a rough terrain forklift to support the operations.  The employees operating the forklift have not received the specified training.  This exposed the employees to the hazards of forklift accidents and being struck by the forklift.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Apr 4, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(1):     Any power-operated industrial truck not in safe operating condition was not taken out of service, and/or repairs were not made by authorized personnel:    On or about September 19, 2012, employees used and worked around a rough terrain forklift used to support the drilling rig operations.  The forklift had a disconnected back alarm, inoperative headlights, missing seat, and no operational horn.  This exposed the employees working around the forklift to the hazard of being struck by the forklift.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Feb 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $960 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:    Rig #3 mud pump #1:  On or about September 19, 2012, employees operating the rig mud system worked around and maintained the mud pump.  The mud pump pressure relief valve did not have a guard installed exposing the employees to the hazard of being struck by the valve shear pin.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Mar 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1):     Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):    Vac Truck:  On or about September 19, 2012, and times prior to, employees used a vacuum truck to support drilling activities.  The vacuum pump pulley and V belts were not guarded.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being caught in in-running nip points.

Issued

Feb 20, 2013

Abate by

Mar 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i):     Horizontal belts which had both runs 42 inches or less from the floor level were not fully enclosed by guards conforming to requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  Horizontal belts and ropes.        Vac Truck:  On or about September 19, 2012, and times prior to, employees used a vacuum truck to support drilling activities.  The vacuum pump pulley and V belts were not guarded.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being caught in in-running nip points.