OSHA Inspection: MONROE DRILLING OPERATIONS, LLC

Issued

Feb 24, 2026

Abate by

Apr 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $16,550

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 employees were exposed to struck-by, fire, and explosion hazards associated with the unmanaged release of gas and pressure from an oil and gas well during plugging activities.   a. Located at API 34167665780000, Matamoras, Ohio 45767: On or about August 25, 2025, the employer was attempting to plug an orphan oil and gas well. The employer did not effectively manage and control the release of gas and pressure during plugging operations and thereby exposed employees to struck-by, fire, and explosion hazards. The employer attempted to plug the well with cement without maintaining continuous well control. Ignition sources were located in proximity to the well and had not been positioned based on an assessment of their distance from released gases and fumes. The employer did not monitor the release of gases and fumes during the operation. Each of these conditions increased the likelihood that a fire and/or explosion would occur.

Issued

Feb 24, 2026

Abate by

Mar 30, 2026

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $16,550

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.120(q)(1): Emergency response plan. An emergency response plan shall be developed and implemented to handle anticipated emergencies prior to the commencement of emergency response operations.   a.  Located at API 34167665780000, Matamoras, OH 45767:  On or about August 25, 2025, the employer did not develop and implement procedures that would protect its employees and subcontractor employees from hazards associated with the anticipated emergency of an uncontrolled release of gas of an orphan well.  As a result, employees were exposed to fire, explosion, inhalation and struck-by hazards.

Issued

Feb 24, 2026

Abate by

Mar 30, 2026

Penalty

Initial $16,550 · Current $16,550

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a): Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.  a.  Located at API 34167665780000, Matamoras, OH 45767:  On or about August 25, 2025, the employer did not ensure its employees were provided with and used flame-resistant clothing (FRC), and did not enforce the use of FRC by subcontractor employees, who were exposed to fire and explosion hazards while plugging a well.

Issued

Feb 13, 2026

Abate by

Mar 23, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,972 · Current $3,972

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(iv): Authorization. Before cutting or welding is permitted, the area shall be inspected by the individual responsible for authorizing cutting and welding operations. He shall designate precautions to be followed in granting authorization to proceed preferably in the form of a written permit.  a. Located at API 34167665780000, Matamoras, OH 45767: On or about August 18, 2025, the employer did not designate precautions to be followed by employees prior to performing cutting of steel cable and piping over an orphan well with power tools, exposing the employees to fire and explosion hazards.  b. Located at API 34167665780000, Matamoras, OH 45767: On or about August 25, 2025, the employer did not designate precautions to be followed by employees prior to performing welding hot work to install a temporary emergency cap on the top of an oil/gas well, exposing the employees to fire and explosion hazards.