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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: A.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. Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by manual tongs at the Wolfe Guinn Renfro #4 Drilling Site, off of County Road 4461 near Boyd, TX as a result of using a Woolley Super "B" Rotary Tong which had been fitted with a bolt not complying with the manufacturer's specification. An ASTM A307 bolt (0.5 inch x 4.0 inch approximate measurements) was installed on the lever of the tong to secure the tong line pin where a 0.75 inch x 4 inch, Grade 5 screw bolt was specified. One feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to (1) Use parts which comply with the manufacturing specifications when repairing tongs, and, (2) Train employees who use tongs to recognize the importance of using correct parts and to promptly report the need for repairs. B.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. Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by a Woolley Super "B" Rotary Tong at the Wolfe Guinn Renfro #4 Drilling Site, off of County Road 4461 near Boyd, TX as a result of the work practice of using the breakout tong and rotary power to accomplish the initial breakout of tool joints. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to (1) Use both sets of tongs when drill string tool-joint connections are initially broken out, and, (2) Ensure employees are clear of the tongs before they are heavily torqued during both "making up and "breaking out" activities.