Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: FALLING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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: a) On or about March 21, 1990, on oil well location #MPHW31-24, located approximately 18 miles south of Rhame, North Dakota, employees were exposed to teh potential hazards of equipment/ components falling from the overhead rig elevators in that the overall dimensional size of the 3-inch valve was within the confined of the rig elevators. One feasible and useful methods of abatement, among others, would be to develop and implement a special program that would provide employees with knowledge relating to the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of unsafe conditions which would include, but not be limited to, the following essentials: 1) To ensure that the overall dimensions of check valves used within the confines of the rig elevators be of appropriate dimensional size to allow them to properly rotate in conjunction with the tubing. 2) Conduct job safety analysis prior to start of operations. 3) Provide training and education of affected employees. 4) Avoid substituting equipment that is different in function and/or design for equipment normally used for a particular operation. 5) Ensure that inoperable, broken, and worn out equipment or its components be replaced immediately by conducting appropriate inspection- not only of rigs, but operations as well. 6) Periodically review the program and update its components where necessary and strickly enforce its provisions.