OSHA Inspection: UNITED DRILLING INC.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,240 · Current $2,000 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:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, the employer did not ensure that each anchor (4 total) had a visible tag securely attached to it indicating the capacity of the anchor and the date of the capacity verification prior to the rig contractor attaching guywires to the anchors. Employees were exposed to potential struck-by, crushing and structural collapse hazards.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,430 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(b)(1): Aisles and passageways were not kept clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, passageways were not kept clear and in good repair. Employees were exposed to trip hazards in the following instances:           1)   The stairway landing leading up to the rig floor was sticking up 1 ¼ inches.      2)   The stairway landing to the right of the V-door was sticking up 1 ¾ inches.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,430 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.24(f): Rise height and tread width were not uniform throughout any flight of stairs including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, the first three rungs to the stairway leading up to the shaker pit did not have uniform rise height and tread due to physical damage. Employees were exposed to the trip hazards walking up and down the stairway.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,670 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, the employer did not ensure that an assessment of the worksite to determine that where hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was known or suspected to exist, would necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as but not limited to H2S personal monitoring devices, self-contained breathing apparatuses and emergency escape packs. The employee was exposed to the possibility of encountering hydrogen sulfide without protective equipment.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,050 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(c): Storage areas were not kept free from accumulation of materials that constituted hazards from tripping, fire, explosion or pest harborage:    On or about February 25, 2014, the Rig #32 storage areas were not kept free from accumulation of materials that constituted hazards from slipping, tripping or pest harborage. Broken bags of mixing material/chemicals such as, but not limited to, Cottonseed hulls, Hydrated Lime, White Starch and MICA were left laid on the ground and scattered throughout the storage area. Employees were exposed to hazards of tripping, fire, explosion and/or pest harborage.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,240 · Current $2,000 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):     On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, inside the engine room, the air compressor running at the time of inspection had a missing guard(s) for pulleys. Employees were exposed to struck-by and caught-between hazards.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

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):    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, inside the engine room, the air compressor running at the time of inspection had a missing guard(s) for the belts. The guards to perform maintenance that morning but never put the guard(s) back on. Employees were exposed to caught-by hazards.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,860 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): All exposed part(s) of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform were not protected by stationary casing(s) enclosing shafting completely or by trough(s) enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, employees were exposed to caught-between hazards in the following instances:         1)    Mud Pump #1 was not fitted with guards on both sides of where the horizontal shaft (Piston     Rod) is located. At the point where the guards were removed, the open space measured approximately 21-inches wide by 14-inches long.       2)    Mud Pump #2 was not fitted with guards on both sides of where the horizontal shaft (Piston Rod) is located. At the point where the guards were removed, the open space measured approximately 21-inches wide by 14-inches long.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,430 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(iv): Electric equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause serious physical harm to employees, such as damaged electrical insulation:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, coming out of the engine room, the 200V nominal cable going to the Top Doghouse had insulation damage in two separate locations inside a 5-foot section. Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,430 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1): Openings through which conductors enter boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, the circuit breaker box inside the parts room had unused openings through which conductors could enter the box but were not effectively closed. Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards.          1)    At the bottom of the circuit breaker box, a knockout was pushed in leaving an open gap going into the box.      2)    At the bottom of the circuit breaker box, a cable running through it was missing a bushing that left an open gap.      3)    A bushing inserted at the side of the circuit breaker box was left unused and open.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, the circuit breaker box inside the parts room had three unused slots (openings) inside the box. Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,050 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Each outlet box in completed installations did not have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy:     On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, a circuit breaker box and junction boxes had missing covers. Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards in the following instances:          1)    Inside the doghouse and just to the left as you enter; the electrical outlet had a missing plate cover.       2)    Inside the Top Doghouse, electrical outlet against the wall had a knockout pushed in, leaving an opening              as well as the cover plate not being secured.       3)    The circuit breaker box inside the parts room was missing a front cover.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,430 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that would prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, at the suction Pit, the male-end of the 110V nominal cable used to supply power to the pit lights had its strain relief broken. Employees were exposed to shock hazards.

Issued

Apr 30, 2014

Abate by

May 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B): Flexible cords and/or cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:    On or about February 25, 2014, Rig #32, inside the engine room above the circuit breaker box, two-110V nominal cables were run through cutout holes in the wall. Employees were exposed to electrical shock hazards.