OSHA Inspection: COLTER ENERGY SERVICES USA, INC.

Issued

May 4, 2015

Abate by

May 21, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(6): In locations where flammable vapors may be present, precautions were not taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition.  Sources of ignition may include open flames, lightning, smoking, hot surfaces, frictional heat, sparks (static, electrical, and mechanical), spontaneous ignition, chemical and physical-chemical reactions, and radiant heat:                                                                 OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE     Section 5(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards:     (a) On or about November 6, 2014, for the employee engaged in operating a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine during well servicing operations approximately 19 feet from a tank containing residual crude oil liquids at the Slawson well site identified as Bazooka 1-20H.         Abatement Note: Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards would include following the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice 54 which include but are not limited to:   1. 12.1.8 Discharges of oil or gas to the atmosphere should be to a safe area, preferably on the downwind side of the well and a minimum of 100 feet from the well head, open flame, or other sources of ignition. At locations where this recommendation may be impractical, appropriate safety measures should be implemented.     2. In addition to the API, the Association of Energy Services Companies (AESC) has procedures for Hot Work which involves any activity performed in a hazardous location which may introduce an ignition source into a potentially flammable atmosphere.