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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 103582136
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Status: X
Initial Penalty: $7,000.00
Current Penalty: $5,250.00
Issuance Date: 04/26/1996
Nr Instances: 2
Nr Exposed: 7
Abatement Date: 04/30/1996
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0626000
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Related Event Code (REC): A
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | I: Informal Settlement | 05/17/1996 | $5,250.00 | 04/30/1996 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 04/26/1996 | $7,000.00 | 04/30/1996 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: UNAPEQUIP
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 fire and explosion: Employees were exposed to the hazards of fire and explosion resulting from a well blowout which occurred on November 3, 1995, at the Hinojosa #1 on FM 2360, Starr County, eleven and one-half (11-1/2) miles east on Hwy. 83, Rio Grande City, TX on Trans Texas Gas Corporation Rig #32. The employer failed to implement well control procedures and practices as identified by API RP54-92, Page 11, Section 5, Sub-Section 5.4, Paragraph 5.4.7 and "Statewide Rules for Oil and Gas and Geothermal Operations", Railroad Commission of Texas: 3.13, Rule (c)(2)(b). a.The employees did not have an adequate understanding of and were not able to operate the blowout preventer system on November 3, 1995, in that no one activated the blowout preventer system as required by API RP54-92, Page 11, Section 5, Sub-Section 5.4, Paragraph 5.4.7 during the well blowout. b.The employer did not test the blowout preventers with the frequency required by "Statewide Rules for Oil and Gas and Geothermal Operations", Railroad Commission of Texas: 3.13, Rule (c)(2)(b). One feasible and acceptable method of abatement to assure well control at all times is to have: 1.Designated regular personnel have an understanding of and be able to operate the blowout preventer equipment. 2.Conducting testing of blowout preventer equipment to assure the equipment is functioning properly by frequent tests during drilling and well completion operations of at least once each trip for Ram-Type preventers and Annular-Type preventers tested by closing on drill pipe once each week.