OSHA Inspection: ENSIGN UNITED STATES DRILLING, INC.

Issued

2020-05-15 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-06-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8111.00 · Current $5677.00 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:  (a) Ensign United States Drilling, Inc. Rig US-135, at Latitude 40.131299, Longitude -105.042743, Regnier Farms 19H-B268, Longmont, CO:  On or about 12/9/19, Ensign United States Drilling, Inc. 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, under a contractor's direction, a top drive was used to pull pipe out of the hole during tripping operations.  This condition exposed employees to a fire hazard.    Abatement Note: Among other feasible and useful means of abatement, the employer can develop policies and procedures designed to ensure control of the well is maintained. For guidance, the employer may reference the recommendations found in American Petroleum Institute (API) RP 54 "Occupational Safety and Health for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations", Sections 6 and 11.  In addition, the snubbing unit could be used to jack the pipe out of the hole to prevent the pipe from buckling and the well becoming uncontrollable.