OSHA Inspection: PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING COMPANY LLC RIG 250

Issued

Aug 14, 2014

Abate by

Aug 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(c): Personal protective equipment was not of safe design and construction for the work to be performed:   and/or in the alternative:  29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(ii): The employer did not select and use a NIOSH-certified respirator in compliance with the conditions of its certification:  At the Rig 250 drilling site located at Lyssy A-1H well site near Poth, Texas, on or about March 12, 2014 and at times prior thereto SKA-PAK escape SCBA / supplied air respirators provided for employee use in potentially hazardous atmospheres were equipped with polyester head harnesses in lieu of flame resistant Kevlar, exposing employees to the hazards of flash fire. Use of the polyester head harness and nylon waist and shoulder harness configuration is prohibited by manufacturer Scott Safety when exposure to flame or radiant heat is a possibility as the components may melt or burn.

Issued

Aug 14, 2014

Abate by

Aug 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  At the Rig 250 drilling site located at Lyssy A-1H well site near Poth, Texas, on or about March 12, 2014 and at times prior thereto SKA-PAK combination escape SCBA / supplied air respirators were stored outside the Driller's Cabin in cases that were not water-tight and air-tight, thereby subjecting components to damage and/or contamination by dust/dirt and moisture. There was standing water in two of the four Breathing Air cases.

Issued

Aug 14, 2014

Abate by

Aug 22, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010D150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the information specified under paragraphs (f)(6)(i) through (ii) of this section:  At the Rig 250 drilling site located at Lyssy A #1H well near Poth, Texas, on March 12, 2014 and at times prior thereto and thereafter containers for chemicals used in mud mixing operations and/or fueling of equipment were not labeled with health hazard warnings, including the Aycock diesel fuel tank, skid-mounted diesel fuel tank, and "Barite" tanks, which were not labeled with any hazard warnings and contained Baroid 41 (crystalline silica, quartz), exposing employees to the hazards of chemicals.