OSHA Inspection: MURFIN DRILLING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Mar 27, 2025

Abate by

Apr 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $32,769 · Current $16,550 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.  On Rig 110, at a worksite located near Bird City, Cheyenne County, Kansas 67731, GPS coordinates 39.6779-101.519:    On or about November 5, 2024, the night shift drilling crew were lifting and securing drilling collars to the drill string when they were exposed to struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to ensure that the drilling components, that included the collar and sub, were properly tightened prior to raising the assembly with the drill rig elevator.  An employee suffered fatal injuries when they were struck-by a 30ft drill collar that unthreaded from the sub-assembly and fell approximately 10ft to the working station below.   Murfin Drilling Company, Inc was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1594445, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on November 23, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at Intersection of Elk & Road 340, Grove KS, 67736.  Among other methods , feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct the hazard include, but are not limited to:   1.	Evaluate and revise existing company Drill Collar Job Safety Analysis, in accordance with recommendations from the IADC Safety Alert 02-4 (International Association of Drilling Contractors, September 2022) and ensure that the lift sub is tightened in the upper drill collar connection prior to hoisting the drill collars;  2.	Revise existing Rig Safety Inspection checklists to verify the condition and availability of tools/equipment necessary to tighten the drill collar connection;    3.	Establish and implement work rules that require the driller to physically check the sub and collar connection before it is lifted;  4.	Establish and implement a work rule to ensure that personnel are not under suspended loads, in accordance with API RP54, 7.1.13.c (American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 54, Fourth Edition).     5.	Evaluate and implement a revised progressive disciplinary program that extends to supervisors to ensure all employees are held accountable for their work responsibilities.