Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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: Diatom Drilling Rig #3, located four miles east of Borger, Texas, on the Killough Lease: A struck by hazard when the hydraulically operated pawl system, designed to engage automatically during scope up was not operating properly and a derrick hand had to climb the derrick to coax the pawls or "dogs" into place. During this operation, the hydraulic hose which supplied fluid to the derrick for raising, blew out, from its connection. While the derrick man was up, inside the derrick structure, the top section dropped suddenly, fatally injuring the derrick man. The derrick continued to float down as the fluid ran out below the rig floor. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard was to repair any and all non-functioning components and bring up to design and requirements of manufacturer.