OSHA Inspection: MERIT ENERGY COMPANY

Issued

2019-12-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-01-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5683.00 · Current $5683.00

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 is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level was protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system:  The employer is failing to protect employees on a walking-working surface near an opening 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level from falling and tripping hazards. This was most recently documented on or about July 3, 2019 at the Hatcher D-1 Well site of Merit Energy Company, located at Road 11 and Road L in Liberal, Kansas. Employees engaged in pumping unit maintenance activities at the cellar cover areas were exposed to fall hazard of approximately 4 feet 4 inches from the walking/working surface of the cellar cover and the surrounding areas near an opening to the dirt washed out opening below. Employees were exposed in that a washed out opening was not filled in or covered to protect employees from falling and tripping hazards while working/walking next to the openings (45 inches width by 85 inches length with 4 feet 4 inches depth).  29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

2019-12-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-01-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5683.00 · Current $2273.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i): The employer did not ensure each employee was protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that was 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:    The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards. This was most recently documented on or about July 3, 2019 at the Hatcher D-1 Well site of Merit Energy Company, located at Road 11 and Road L in Liberal, Kansas. Employees engaged in pumping unit maintenance activities at the cellar cover areas were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 7 feet 4 inches from the walking/working surface of the broken wooden cellar covers to the cellar below.    29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

2019-12-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-01-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $13260.00 · Current $13260.00

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:  The employer is failing to protect employees from amputation and struck-by hazards while performing pumping unit maintenance activities. This was most recently documented on or about July 3, 2019 at the Hatcher D-1 Well site of Merit Energy Company, located at Road 11 and Road L in Liberal, Kansas. Employees engaged in pumping unit maintenance activities at the Lufkin pumping unit were exposed to amputation and struck-by hazards associated with the rotating/moving pumping unit components in that machine guarding was not provided.  a) The employer failed to provide guards to prevent employees from getting into the area of the moving parts of the pumping unit such as the horsehead, and the carrier bar exposing employees to struck-by hazards. b) The employer failed to ensure machine guards provided were adequately maintained for the crank, the prime mover, and the counter-weight exposing employees to amputation hazards.   29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1) requires certification and documentation that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

2019-12-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-01-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9472.00 · Current $9472.00

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):  The employer is failing to protect employees from caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the unguarded inclined belt and pulley. This was most recently documented on or about July 3, 2019 at the Hatcher D-1 Well site of Merit Energy Company, located at Road 11 and Road L in Liberal, Kansas.  a) On the West side of the Lufkin pumping unit, the guard next to the motor was missing, exposing to rotating belt and pulley, measured approximately 25.5 inches tall by 28 inches wide, which allowed access to the in-running pulleys. b) On the East side of the Lufkin pumping unit, the guard installed over the belt and pulley did not completely cover the pulleys. The guard had two openings, measured approximately 10 inches tall by 3 inches wide, which allowed access to the in-running pulleys.  29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.

Issued

2019-12-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-01-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  The employer is failing to protect employees from caught-in and amputation hazards associated with the unguarded inclined belt and pulley. This was most recently documented on or about July 3, 2019 at the Hatcher D-1 Well site of Merit Energy Company, located at Road 11 and Road L in Liberal, Kansas.  a) On the West side of the Lufkin pumping unit, the guard next to the motor was missing, exposing to rotating belt and pulley, measured approximately 25.5 inches tall by 28 inches wide, which allowed access to the in-running inclined belts. b) On the East side of the Lufkin pumping unit, the guard installed over the belt and pulley did not completely cover the inclined belts. The guard had two openings, measured approximately 10 inches tall by 3 inches wide, which allowed access to the in-running inclined belts.  29 CFR 1903.19(c)(1) requires certification that the abatement of the above violation is complete.