OSHA Inspection: HEART LAND DRILLING INC.

Issued

Dec 16, 2013

Abate by

Dec 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards due to mast collapse:   On or about June 19, 2013, Rig #11, the employer did not ensure that the mast was maintained in good condition and was capable of supporting the stresses placed upon it when tripping pipe out of the hole.  Personnel were permitted to remain in the mast and on the rig floor during instances of unusuall loading, exposing employees to struck-by hazards resulting from the collapse of the mast.

Issued

Dec 16, 2013

Abate by

Dec 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,960 · Current $4,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that every hatchway or chute floor opening was guarded by either a hinged floor opening cover of standard strength and construction equipped with standard railings, or by a removable railing:     On or about June 19, 2013, on the roof of the Mud House where employees unload materials, the employer did not ensure two floor openings were guarded, exposing employees to fall hazards.

Issued

Dec 16, 2013

Abate by

Dec 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,940 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(i): Vertical clearance above any stair tread to an overhead obstruction was not at least 7 feet measured from the leading edge of the tread:       On or about June 19, 2013, Rig #11, exit stairs on the side of the Mud House, the vertical clearance from the stair tread to an 8" metal pipe obstructing the stairs was less than seven feet, exposing employees to struck by and fall hazards.

Issued

Dec 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,950 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x): Flexible cords and cables were not protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points.    On or about June 19, 2013, Rig #11, generator house, 480 volt flexible cord was not protected from accidental damage in that it was pinched by the generator house door and routed in a manner that exposed the cord heat from the generator exhaust. This condition exposed employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Dec 16, 2013

Abate by

Dec 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $9,900 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet (1.22 m) or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v)), on all open sides:    On or about June 19, 2013, Rig #11, at the Mud House exterior roof, the employer did not ensure that the platform was guarded by standard railings on all open sides, exposing employees to a fall hazard exceeding four feet.    Heart Land Drilling Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314703695, Citation Number 01, Item number 001. and was affirmed as a final order on April 15, 2011, with respect to a workplace located at Rig #2  Post, TX 79356.

Issued

Dec 16, 2013

Abate by

Dec 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $9,900 · Current $7,000 Reduced

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):    On or about June 19, 2013, Rig #11, in the Mud House, the standby pump motor vertical belt was not fully guarded, exposing employees to entanglement hazards.      Heart Land Drilling, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 314703695, citation number 01, item number 006 and was affirmed as a final order on April 29, 2011, with respect to a workplace located at Rig #2, Post, TX 79356.