OSHA Inspection: UNION DRILLING, INC.

Issued

Dec 11, 2012

Abate by

Jan 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,200 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 in that the escape line installed on the Safety Slide (Geronimo Line) for employee use for rapid escape in the event of an emergency was not in good condition.    On or about November 7, 2012 and times prior thereto, an employee of Union Drilling, Inc. performed work tasks in the mast from the monkey board, approximately 80 feet from the ground level below at or near Denham 2-9H Rig#122 in Wooster, Arkansas.  A Safety Slide (Geronimo Line) emergency escape was installed for employee use from the monkey board for a rapid escape in the event of an emergency.  The wire cable installed for the escape line had kinks near the bottom half of the cable, approximately 20 feet from the ground level, exposing the employee to falling hazards.

Issued

Dec 11, 2012

Abate by

Jan 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,550 · Current $1,530 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1):     The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employees ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:     On or about November 7, 2012 and times prior thereto, an employee of Union Drilling, Inc. was required to wear a 3M N-95 particulate respirator, model number 8511, when mixing chemicals at or near Denham 2-9H Rig#122 in Wooster, Arkansas.  The employer had not provided the employee with a medical evaluation before requiring use of the respirator.

Issued

Dec 11, 2012

Abate by

Jan 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1):     The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):     On or about November 7, 2012 and times prior thereto, an employee of Union Drilling, Inc. was required to wear a 3M N-95 particulate respirator (model: 8511) when mixing chemicals at Denham 2-9H Rig# 122 in Wooster, Arkansas.  The employer had not ensured the employee passed a qualitative or quantitative fit test before required use.

Issued

Dec 11, 2012

Abate by

Jan 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,550 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c):     Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:    On or about November 7, 2012 and times prior thereto, employees of Union Drilling, Inc. performed work tasks in and around the shale shaker location at Denham 2-9H Rig# 122 in Wooster, Arkansas.  A gas detector had been installed near the shale shakers, designated as a Class 1, Division 1 location, by a third party contractor.  An unapproved 12V cord and plug for the gas detector had been taped to the detector and plugged in for use, exposing employees to explosive hazards.