OSHA Inspection: ENSIGN UNITED STATES DRILLING INC.

Issued

2023-04-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-05-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $15625.00 · Current $12500.00 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 in that rig crew employees were exposed to falling object and struck-by hazards:   a) Ensign United States Drilling, Inc, Rig #773, 17403 Weld County Road 17, Plateville, CO 80651: On or about 12/5/2022, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from falling objects and struck-by hazards while drilling operations were taking place. Pipe tripping operations were being performed to remove pipe from a newly dilled oil and gas well. An employee was exposed to struck-by hazards when the elevator on the top drive assembly made contact with the monkey board extension (flanged piece) and forcing the hinges in the wrong direction. This caused the welds on the piece of monkey board extension to break away from the from the elevated work platform and fall to the floor from 85 feet above.