Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 1702146.015 - T & L Well Service

Inspection Information - Office: Oklahoma City Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 9:47 a.m. on October 5, 2023, a crew was finishing service on an active pump jack site. They were tightening bolts on the stuffing box and lubing the stuffing box and the polished rod, due to a rapid release of water coming out of the stuffing box from work that was completed during the previous days. Once the work was complete, the employee turned around from his position (i.e., between the legs of the samson post, facing the polished rod and the stuffing box) to the left side of the pump jack to face where the doghouse was located. The employee then walked under the counterweight and the crank and was standing on the outer most part of the base, on the frame. As the counterweight rotated behind the employee, it caught onto the employee's shirt, which pulled him down to the ground. He was crushed by the counterweight and the inner frame of the base and later died.

Keywords: Bolt, Clothing, Counterweight, Crushed, Pulling, Pump Jack Scaffold, Water