Oil and Gas Industry Citations Set II
OKC AO - FY 2007
(Issued ~ June ’07 thru Sept. ‘07)


SIC: 1382
Penalty: $0.00
Loc: Binger, OK

1910.22(c): Cover(s) and/or guardrail(s) was not provided to protect personnel from the hazards of falling into an open pit:

Fencing around the spoils pits was not maintained (down) potentially exposing employees to the hazard of a fall.


SIC: 1381
Penalty: $47,600
Loc: Cheyenne, OK

1910.335(a)(2)(i): When working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, each employee did not use insulated tools or handling equipment when the tools or handling equipment might have made contact with such conductors or parts:

Employees were not provided tools with insulative properties to eliminate arching while working on an energized service lead. A steel wrench was used to tighten the nut securing the service cable from the AC generator (idling at approxiimatelyh 75 amps and 50 kilowatts) to the service entrance of the SCR House.

1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and made familiar with the safety related work practices required by 29 CFR 1910.331 through 29 CFR 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:

The rig manager and the motorman did not receive training in and were not made familiar with safety related work practices. Rig manager was not trained how to safely deenergize the service lead from the AC generator to the SCR House.

1910.333(a)(1): The employer does not ensure live parts to which an employee could be exposed were deenergized before the employee worked on or near them:

Employer did not ensure service eads from the generator were deenergized before employees attempted to tighten the connection to the SCR House with uninsulated tools. (The switch gear was turned off and the generator brought to idle).
1910.335(b)(1): Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags were not used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which could endanger them, as required by 29 CFR 1910.145:

At locations on the rig where there was high voltage hazards, there was no tag denoting the danger of high voltage with information on how to avoid the hazard. An AC generator was idling and producing approximately 50 kilowatts ( ~667 volts at 74 amps.)


SIC: 1381
Penalty: $12,500
Loc: Prague, OK

Section 5(a))(1) General Duty Clause OSHAct: 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:

A work-over rig for well servicing operations was provided without 1) the means being available to secure the guywire system to anchors designed to support imposed loads and 2) the stabilizer and guywire system of the manufacturer’s original equipment and design. Employee were exposed to hazards associated with catastrophic failure of a well servicing structure.

One feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to assure the rig is rigged up in a safe manner in accordance with API Recommended Practice 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, section 6.3, Preliminary Rig-Up Operations and Recommended Practice 4G, Recommended Practice for use and Procedures for Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Drilling and Well Servicing Structures, section 13.3, Guywire End Terminations and Hardware.


Section 5(a))(1) General Duty Clause OSHAct: 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:

A work-over rig for well servicing operations was provided without a means of auxillary escape when an employee was working in the derrick or mast, exposing employees to the hazards associated with the inability to escape from the derrick or mast during an emergency situation.

One feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to assure the rig is rigged up in a safer manner in accordance with API Recommended Practice 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling ad Servicing Operations, section 6.10, Auxiliary Escape.
Section 5(a))(1) General Duty Clause OSHAct: 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:

A work-over rig provided for well servicing operations had been structurally modified without the manufacturer’s approval or the services of a qualified person utilizing accepted engineering practices. 1) The manufacturer’s original derrick had been removed and replace with a 96 foot derrick. 2) The original stabilizer system had been removed and replaced with hydraulic jack system. 3) The original guywire system had been removed and modified with hardware of a lesser strength. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with catastrophic failure of a well servicing structure.

One feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to assure rig modifications are made in accordance with API Recommended Practice 4G, Recommended Practice for Use and Procedures for Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Drilling and Well Servicing Structures, section 8, Modifications/Upgrade or API Recommended Practice 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, section 9.2, Derricks and Masts.

Section 5(a))(1) General Duty Clause OSHAct: 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:

Employees worked at heights greater than 10 feet without a means of fall protection, exposing employees to a fall hazard.

Among others, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to assure fall protection is provided and worn in accordance with the requirements of API Recommended Practice 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, section 5.5, Fall Protection.

1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personnel protective equipment (PPE). When such hazards were present, or likely to be present, the employer did not:
a. Select and have each affected employee use the types of PPE that protect the affected employee from exposure to identified hazards
b. Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee
c. Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee

Employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present or likely to be present and select appropriate PPE. Employees were exposed to unidentified type of hazards.

1910.151(b): In the absence of a infirmary, clinic or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, the employer did not ensure a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid, was readily available:

Employer did not have person(s) adequately trained to render first aid, exposing employees to hazards associated with lack of knowledge and skills to render first aid in the event of an emergency.

IN THE ALTERNATIVE

Section 5(a))(1) General Duty Clause OSHAct: 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:

Among other, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to assure an individual trained in first aid and CPR are available on site in accordance with the requirements of API Recommended Practice 54, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, section 4.3, First Aid.


SIC: 1381
Penalty: $4500
Loc: Seminole, OK

1910.212(a)(2): Machine guard(s) was installed in such a manner that it created a hazard in itself:

Employer did not ensure the cathead guard was kept in good repair so as to prevent the wire rope from passing between the wire rope spool and the cathead guard, creating the potential for the wire rope to contact the rotating shaft causing accidental rotation of the cathead.


SIC: 1389
Penalty: $1225
Loc: Lindsay, OK

1910.23(c)(2): Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v), on all open sides:

Service rig floor, employees and packing contractor employee worked on the rig floor during removal of an oil/gas well production tubing, where the floor guardrail was incomplete. Employees were exposed to the hazard of a fall from an elevation of 8ft.

1910.24(b): Fixed stairs were not provided for access from one structure level to another where operations necessitated travel regularly, daily or at each shift:

Service rig floor, employees, engaged in the removal of an oil/gas well production tubing, were not provided with suitable access to the service rig floor. This exposed employees to the hazard of falls from approximately 4 feet to 8 feet.

1910.219(d)(1): Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) & (o):

On the front of the rig engine, employees operated and maintained an oil/gas well service when the rig engine fan belts and top pulley were not guarded. This exposed the employees to the hazard of in-running nip points.


1910.219(e)(3)(i): Vertical or inclined belt(s) were not enclosed by guard(s) conforming to the requirements specified at 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):

On the front of the rig engine, employees operated and maintained an oil/gas well service when the rig engine fan belts and top pulley were not guarded. This exposed the employees to the hazard of in-running nip points.


SIC: 1382
Penalty: $0
Loc: Lehigh, OK

1910.178(a)(6): The user did not see that all nameplates and markings were in place and were maintained in a legible condition:

Employer did not ensure the all-terrain material handler which was rented was supplied with markings such as, but not limited to, load chart, and pinch/crushing points.


SIC: 1381
Penalty: $1500
Loc: Lehigh, OK

1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery was not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):

Employer did not ensure the mud pump guards were covering clamp, rod, and piston. (The oiler was installed with a clamp making the guard not able to close.)

1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:

Employees were not trained on the corrosive physical properties of lime used in the oil based mud.


SIC: 1389
Penalty: $500
Loc: Lindsay

1910.23(c)(1): Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level was not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v) on all open sides:

On the northwest corner of the well site, an employee accessed the top of the frac tank; no fall protection was provided or used while on the tank. This exposed the employee to the hazard of falling from 8 feet to 12.5 feet.


SIC: 1389
Penalty: $1500
Loc: Lindsay, OK

1910.23(c)(1): Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level was not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v) on all open sides:

Service rig floor, employee worked on a service rig during the removal of an oil/gas well production tubing to unseat the tubing packer where the floor guardrail system was incomplete. Employee was exposed to the hazard of falling from an elevation of 8 feet.


SIC: 1389
Penalty: $1300
Loc: Lindsay, OK

1910.23(c)(1): Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level was not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v) on all open sides:

On the northwest corner of the well site, contractor employees accessed or attempted to access the top of a frac tank; no fall protection was provided or used while the employees were on the tank. This exposed the employees to the hazard of falling from 8 to 12.5 feet.


SIC: 1381
Penalty: $4000
Loc: Calvin, OK

1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) or workroom(s) was not maintained, so far as possible, in a dry condition:

On a rig, the employer did not ensure the rig floor and stairs and the mud tank floor and stairs were kept as free as practical of oil based mud:

1910.134(a)(2): The employer did not establish and maintain a respiratory protection program which include the requirements outlined in paragraph(c) of this section:

At a rig, the employer did not develop and implement a respiratory protection program for employees required to wear a tight-fitting air-purifying respirator when mixing drilling mud. Employees were potentially exposed to a respiratory hazard.

1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:

Employees were required to wear a half-mask respirator while mixing chemicals such as but not limited to lime. Employees were potentially exposed to a respiratory hazard.

1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece was used and a at least annually thereafter:

Employees required to use a tight-fitting respirator when mixing drilling mud was not fit tested prior to being assigned a job requiring the use of a respirator. Employees were potentially exposed to a respiratory hazard.

1910.134(h)(1): Each respirator user was not provided with a respirator that was clean, sanitary, and in good working order. The employer did not ensure that respirators were cleaned and disinfected using the procedures in Appendix B-2 of this section or procedures recommended by the respirator manufacturer , provided that such procedures are of equivalent effectiveness:

Employer did not ensure the respirator, used by employees mixing drilling mud on the pervious shift, was properly cleaned and stored. Employees were potentially exposed to respiratory and/or skin hazard.

1910.134(k)(3): The employer did not provide the training prior to requiring the employee(s) to use a respirator in the workplace:

The employer did not train employees in the proper use, maintenance, cleaning and storage of tight-fitting respirators used by employees mixing drilling mud. Employees were potentially exposed to a respiratory hazard.

1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in paragraph (l):

Employees using all terrain material handler was not competent to operate the equipment in a safe manner.

1910.212(a)(1): Machine guarding was not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees from hazard(s) created by the open guard on the mud pump:

The employer did not ensure after installing additional equipment on the mud pump, that the modification did not affect the guarding of the mud pump’s piston, rod and shaft.

1910.305(b)(3)(ii): Pull and junction boxes used on systems rated over 600 volts, nominal, were not closed by suitable covers securely fastened in place:

Electrical box covers were not closed in the SCR house potentially exposing employees to contact with energized electrical sources.


SIC: 1311
Penalty: $1300
Loc: Lindsay, OK

1910.23(c)(1): Open sided floor(s) or platform(s) 4 feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded by standard railings (or the equivalent as specified in 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(3)(i) through (v), on all open sides:

At the well site contractor employees were exposed to a fall hazard when accessing or attempting to access the top of a frac tank with no fall protection provided or used while on the tank top.

SIC: 1381
Penalty: $1125
Loc: Lehigh, OK

1910.178(a)(6): The user shall see that all nameplates and markings in place and are maintained in a legible condition:

Load limits and other warnings and caution signs were not maintained in a legible condition on an all terrain material handler.

1910.178(a)(4): Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operations shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturer’s prior written approval. Capacity , operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.

Employees were potentially exposed to hazards associated with the operation of a company built man basket on an all-terrain material handler, when the employer did not obtain written approval form the manufacturer to change the designated capacity of the all-terrain handler before allowing its use by employees.

1910.178(l)(3): Powered industrial truck operators shall receive initial training on the safe operation of a truck in the workplace:

Employees, not provide training on specific procedures to safety lift employees in a man basket, were potentially exposed to hazards associated with the unsafe operation of an all-terrain material handler with man basket attached

1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:

Employer did not ensure eyewash was connected to fresh water supply, instead of the drilling rig’s supply system which was delivering oil for the oil based mud, for employees mixing chemicals, such as but not limited to lime into the oil based drilling mud, exposing employees to contact with hazardous chemicals.



SIC: 1381
Penalty: $1950
Loc: Binger, OK

1910.178(a)(4): The employer did not obtain the manufacturer’s prior written approval before modifying and adding equipment which affect capacity and safe operation of the industrial truck. The employer did not have modifications or additions to the industrial truck performed by the manufacturer or a manufacture approved party. The employer did not have capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals changed accordingly:

Employees were exposed to hazards associated with the unsafe operation of an all-terrain material handler with a job made man basket. The basket and the material handler did not have posting for the weight of the basket, occupant weight limit, no means to secure the basket to the all-terrain handler, or system for the operator in the basket to communicate with the all-terrain handler operator or operate the lift from the basket.

1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery was not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):

Employees working around the mud pump were potentially exposed to the hazard of being struck by the push rod, when the employer did not adequately modify the mud modify the mud pump guard to cover the push rod, after installing the pump stroke counter.

1910.22(c): Cover(s) and/or guardrail(s) was not provided to protect personnel from the hazards of falling into an open pit:

Employer did not ensure fencing around the spoils pit was maintained, exposing employees to the hazard of a fall. The fence was down in the area where removal of spoils was performed.

1910.335(b)(1): Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags were not used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which could endanger them, as required by 29 CFR 1910.145:

Employees in and/or around the SCR House, where there was no signage informing employees of electrical hazards, were potentially exposed to contact with high voltage connections to the SCR House.







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