OSHA Inspection: R.C. DRILLING LLC

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Oct 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $1,800 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:     Well site:  On or about May 29, 2017, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well worked with and around the unsecured high pressure drilling mud lines.  This exposed the employees to the hazard of being struck by the lines and drilling mud in the event of a line failure.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $2,500 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.    Drilling Rig Floor. On or about May 29, 2017, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well did not attach breakout tongs to a fixed structure using a wire rope or stiff arm. This exposed the employees to the hazard of being struck by the tongs or the attached steel alloy chain in the event of a snub line failure.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Oct 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that was 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by one or more of the following:  Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems:    On or about May 29, 2017, standard guardrail systems or other fall protection systems were not present near the shale shaker area. Employees were exposed to a fall from elevation of more than 4 feet while performing routine work.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Oct 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i): The employer did not ensure each employee is protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following: covers, guardrail systems, travel restraint systems, or personal fall arrest systems, as required by sub-items A through D of this section.  On or about May 29, 2017 and at times prior thereto, an open hole located on the mud pit was missing a floor grate cover. The employees working in the area were exposed to a fall hazard of more than 4 feet.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 3, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(ii): Stairways. The employer did not ensure each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers was equipped with stair rail systems and handrails per Table D-2; stair width less than 44 inches (1.1 m), and two open sides required to have one stair rail system on each open side.  On or about May 29, 2017, stairways connected to the mud mixing area were not provided with handrails on each open side, exposing the employees to a fall hazard of more than 4 feet.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Dec 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2)(viii): The emergency response plan did not address, to the extent not addressed elsewhere, emergency medical treatment and first aid:    On or about May 29, 2017, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not have an emergency response plan or procedures for employees performing medical duties at a remote location.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Dec 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2)(ix): The emergency response plan did not address, to the extent not addressed elsewhere, emergency alerting and response procedures:    On or about May 29, 2017, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not have an emergency response plan or procedures for employees reporting a medical emergency.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    On or about May 29, 2017, and at times prior thereto,  the employer did not ensure employee were provided with flame resistant clothing (FRC) when working in areas where there was a potential for hydrocarbons to be present, exposing the employees to fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:  On or about May 29, 2017, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not perform a hazard assessment for drilling rig workers performing work in areas where the presence of hydrocarbons could be expected.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,070 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(a): Medical personnel were not readily available for advice and consultation on matters of plant health:    On or about May 29, 2017, the employer did not ensure that emergency medical services were readily available to injured employees.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): There was neither an infirmary, clinic, or hospital used for the treatment of all injured employees in near proximity to the workplace nor a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid:   On or about May 29, 2017, the employer did not ensure that employees were adequately trained to render first aid to injured employees.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use     Mud mixing area. On or about May 29, 2017, employees were exposed to corrosive materials including, but not limited to, caustic soda beads and type s lime, and were not provided with emergency eyewash and shower facilities for immediate use within the work area. Employee(s) were exposed to potential chemical burns on the skin and eyes.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $1,800 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:    Drilling Rig Floor. On or about May 29, 2017, a kinked and crushed wire rope sling was used to suspend the breakout tongs and not immediately removed from service, exposing employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,463 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    Mud pump skid:  On or about May 29, 2017, and times prior to, employees operating the a rig's drilling mud system during the drilling of an oil/gas well worked in close proximity to unguarded reciprocating pump rods.  This exposed the employees to struck by hazards.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(1)(iv)(A): AC systems of 50 volts to 1000 volts were not grounded under the following condition:  the system was so grounded that the maximum voltage to ground on the ungrounded conductor does not exceed 150 Volts, unless exempted by paragraph (g)(1)(v) of this section:    Drilling rig:  On or about May 29, 2017,  employees operated a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well used a skid mounted generator to provide electricity to the rig and the generator was not grounded, exposing the employees to the hazard of electrical shock.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(6)(iv)(B): Exposed noncurrent-carrying metal parts of fixed equipment that may become energized were not ground when located in a wet or damp location and were not isolated:  Drilling rig:  On or about May 29, 2017, and times prior to, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well used electrical lights, and  mud mixing pump motors mounted on rig equipment.  The equipment was provided electricity from a generator that was not grounded exposing the employees to the hazard of electrical shock.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Dec 15, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(ii): Flexible cords were not used in continuous lengths without splice or tap:    Mud mixing area. On or about May 29, 2017, and at times prior thereto, the electric supply cord to the mud mixing motor was spliced with an electrical wire nut and black electrical tape, exposing employee to the hazard of electrical shock.

Issued

Oct 19, 2017

Abate by

Nov 13, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:     On or about May 29, 2017, and times prior to, employees operating a drilling rig during the drilling of an oil/gas well used materials including, but not limited to,  caustic soda beads, Type S Lime, and diesel .  The employer did not have a written hazard communication program.  This exposed to the employees to the hazards of the materials as but not limited to:  fire and explosion and corrosive contact with the body.