OSHA Inspection: LANDMARK DRILLING, LLC

Issued

Dec 18, 2014

Abate by

Jan 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 employees were exposed to struck by hazards:  On or before July 24, 2014, employees working Rig #5, SEC 24, TWP 17, R 29, 841 fsl, 653 fel, Dighton, KS 67839 were exposed to struck-by hazards from the uncontrolled rotational movement of manual drilling tongs. This occurred when the wire rope snub line (a/k/a safety line) used to control rotational movement of the Web Wilson Type B Manual Tongs used on the employer's derrick became disconnected from the derrick because the pin used with the shackle anchor that connected the wire rope snub line to the derrick was not secure.  As a result, while employees were tripping pipe out of the hole, the screw pin in the shackle worked itself free, allowing the pin to come out of the shackle, which released the wire rope snub line.  With the snub line released, the top drill pipe tong became unsecured and its rotational movement uncontrolled, allowing the tong to rapidly rotate out of control and strike employees.  This condition exposed employees to the hazard of being struck by the uncontrolled rotational movement of the tong, and in fact, an employee was struck by the tong and died.      Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement would be to follow the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practices in API RP 54, including:        1)  Ensuring that all tongs are securely attached to a suitable fixed structure using wire rope or a stiff arm, as stated in API Recommended Practices 54, Section 9.9.4.        2)  Using a rotating pin type shackle, which has a secondary securement system, utilizing a nut and cotter to secure the snub line to the derrick.  API Recommended Practices 54, Section 9.2.8 states Bolts, nuts and pins on elevators, wire rope, and catlines, as well as sheave and other anchor bolts in the derrick or mast should be secured.       3)  Conducting inspections of tong wire rope safety lines and the clamps and shackles securing them before each tour to ensure that the tongs are securely controlled.

Issued

Dec 18, 2014

Abate by

Jan 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  Employees working drilling rig #5, located at SEC 24, TWP 17, R 29, 841 fsl, 654 fel, Dighton, KS; 67839, were exposed to fire and explosion hazards in that there was not a fire extinguisher on the drilling floor.

Issued

Dec 18, 2014

Abate by

Jan 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.184(f)(5)(iii): Wire rope sling(s) that had kinking, crushing, bird caging or other damage resulting in distortion of the wire rope structure were not immediately removed from service:  Employees working rig #5, located at SEC 24, TWP 17, R 29, 841 fsl, 654 fel, Dighton, KS 67839, were exposed to struck by hazards, in that the wire rope sling used as a snub line attached to the tongs was visibly damaged/crushed.

Issued

Dec 18, 2014

Abate by

Jan 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(i): Flexible cords and cables were not approved for conditions of use and location:  Employees working drilling rig #5, located at SEC 24, TWP 17, R 29, 841 fsl, 654 fel, Dighton, KS 67839 were exposed to electric shock hazards in that flexible cords used to provide power from the 208 volt panel to the geologists trailer for lighting and to the pre-mix area were on the ground exposed to vehicle traffic.

Issued

Dec 18, 2014

Abate by

Jan 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Hard-service cord and junior hard-service cord No. 14 and larger were repaired by splicing, which did not retain the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord that was spliced:  Employees working drilling rig #5, located at SEC 24, TWP 17, R.29, 841 fsl, 654 fel, Dighton, KS 67839 were exposed to electric shock hazards in that the cord used to provide power from the 208 volt panel for lighting to the geologists trailer was not spliced in a manner which retained the insulation, outer sheath properties, and usage characteristics of the cord.  The outer sheath was split and the insulation was exposed.