OSHA Inspection: COOK DRILLING CORP.

Issued

Dec 30, 2021

Abate by

Jan 20, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $10,240 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR OSH ACT of 1970 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 performing hoisting operations with a foundation drilling rig, thereby exposing employees to struck-by hazards while using an auxiliary winch as a lifting mechanism for hoisting large diameter steel pipes:   (a) Jobsite located at 3149-3169 Convention Ave, Philadelphia PA on or about July 6, 2021: The employer failed to protect employees against struck-by hazards in that a Mait HR260 drilling rig, serial number HR2605EF0024, exceeded its capacity in the configuration used while moving a large diameter steel pipe from the deck of a flatbed trailer to ground level.  (b) Jobsite located at 3149-3169 Convention Ave, Philadelphia PA on or about July 2, 2021: The employer failed to protect employees against struck-by hazards in that a Mait HR260 drilling rig, serial number HR2605EF0024, was not placed in the required configuration while performing hoisting operations. The machine's drilling tool, articulation and mast base were not in the correct operating condition during use of the auxiliary winch, subjecting the machine to a loss of rig stability and potential overturning moment in the direction of the suspended load.   (c) Jobsite located at 3149-3169 Convention Ave, Philadelphia PA on or about July 1, 2021: The employer failed to protect employees against struck-by hazards in that a Mait HR260 drilling rig, serial number HR2605EF0024, was not placed in the required configuration while performing hoisting operations. The machine's drilling tool and mast base were not in the correct operating condition during use of the auxiliary winch, subjecting the machine to a loss of rig stability and potential overturning moment in the direction of the suspended load.   Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of hazard abatement include following the national consensus standard requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10.23-2019 for Safety Requirements for the Installation of Drilled Shafts:    Section 6.3: The drilled shaft contractor shall establish a restricted access zone around the drilling and/or hoisting areas to prevent access by persons not directly involved in such operations. The restricted access zone shall be supervised by a drilled shaft contractor designated competent person.  Section 9.1: 'The drilled shaft contractor shall comply with the manufacturer's specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of drill rigs, cranes, forklifts, front-end loaders, boom trucks and other mechanized equipment used to install drilled shafts or handle material.'   Section 9.2:  Only rigging and equipment of adequate capacity and configuration shall be used to handle material.  Section 10.2: 'All power equipment shall be operated in accordance with its manufacturer's specifications and safety requirements for use.'  Section 12.1: 'The drilled shaft installation equipment manufacturer's recommendations for assembly, disassembly, inspection, maintenance, stability and operation shall be followed. The equipment operator must be familiar with the equipment's configuration and its safe operating procedures and limitations per the manufacturer's specifications. Modifications to such equipment shall be subject to the equipment manufacturer's approval.'  Section 12.11: 'The use of an auxiliary winch on drilled shaft installation equipment shall be within the limits established by the equipment manufacturer.'  Section 12.11.1: 'A hoist or lift plan should be completed by the drilled shaft contractor prior to hoisting loads with the auxiliary winch.'   Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of hazard abatement include following the manufacturer's instructions in the "MAIT HR260 Manuale Dell'Operatore E Della Sicurezza Operator's and Safety Manual":   Page 1.54: 'Do not use the machine beyond its capacity.  Do not exceed the nominal values of speed, force, torque, pressure and delivery indicated by the manufacturer.'  Page 3.28: 'WARNING! The winches supplied with the rig must be used exclusively for drilling. It is absolutely forbidden to use the winches as cranes or lifting mechanisms.'  Page 4.40: 'WARNING! To carry out the rotation of the apparatus, the mast must be in a vertical position, the crawler track must be widened and the counterweight assembled. It is absolutely forbidden to carry out this operation in different conditions. You risk the turnover of the drill rig.'

Issued

Dec 30, 2021

Abate by

Jan 20, 2022

Penalty

Initial $9,557 · Current $7,168 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR OSH ACT of 1970 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 a restricted access zone around the hoisting area of a foundation drilling rig was not established to prevent access by persons not directly involved in hoisting operations:   (a) Jobsite located at 3149-3169 Convention Ave, Philadelphia PA: The employer failed to protect employees against struck-by hazards in that a flagger was permitted to control vehicular traffic on a two-lane, two-way roadway, while standing approximately 5 feet of a rotating drilling rig hoisting a large diameter steel pipe, in an area that was not marked as a restricted access zone with cones or similar forms of visual identification.   Condition noted on or about June 25 - July 6, 2021.  Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of hazard abatement include following the national consensus standard requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10.23-2019 for Safety Requirements for the Installation of Drilled Shafts:    Section 6.3: The drilled shaft contractor shall establish a restricted access zone around the drilling and/or hoisting areas to prevent access by persons not directly involved in such operations. The restricted access zone shall be supervised by a drilled shaft contractor designated competent person. The restricted access zone shall comply with the following requirements:  Section 6.3.1: The restricted access zone shall encompass the drilled shaft equipment, drilling attachments, the shaft and the materials and area necessary for the specific operation being performed including spin-off.  Section 6.3.2: The restricted access zone shall be moved with the progress of the work and encompass as much area as necessary to maintain a safe drilling operation. The zone shall be marked with cones or similar form of visual identification.  Section 6.3.3: Only trained and authorized personnel engaged in the drilled shaft installation shall be allowed inside the restricted access zone. When other contractors' workers enter the restricted access zone without approval, the drilled shaft contractor shall promptly inform the project constructor of the intrusions. The project constructor shall take reasonable steps to prevent such intrusions.  Section 9.1: The drilled shaft contractor shall comply with the manufacturer's specifications and limitations applicable to the operation of drill rigs, cranes, forklifts, front-end loaders, boom trucks and other mechanized equipment used to install drilled shafts or handle material.

Issued

Dec 30, 2021

Abate by

Jan 20, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $13,653

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.20(b)(4): The employer did not ensure that the employee(s) required to operate equipment and machinery were qualified by training or experience.   (a) Jobsite located at 3149-3169 Convention Ave, Philadelphia PA: The employer permitted an employee, who was not qualified by training or experience, to operate a Mait HR260 foundation drilling rig. This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards when the drilling rig exceeded its capacity in the configuration used while moving a large diameter steel pipe from the deck of a flatbed trailer to ground level.   Condition noted on or about July 6, 2021.

Issued

Dec 30, 2021

Abate by

Jan 20, 2022

Penalty

Initial $9,557 · Current $9,557

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.21(b)(2): The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.   (a) Jobsite located at 3149-3169 Convention Ave, Philadelphia PA : Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards in that instruction or training was not provided on how to recognize, avoid and control or eliminate unsafe conditions related to performing foundation drilling work to include, but not limited to: working at or near drilling rigs; drilled shafts; overhead electrical lines; material handling; shock loading; side loading; and falling or swinging loads.   (b) Jobsite located at 3149-3169 Convention Ave, Philadelphia PA: The employer permitted a laborer to perform signal person activities for a drilling rig operator without ensuring the person met the qualification requirements, thereby exposing employees to struck-by hazards.  Condition noted on or about July 6, 2021.