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

Section (5)(a)(1): The employer failed to furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm, in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards: (a) On May 18, 2019, and at times prior, where the employer failed to ensure employees were protected from struck-by hazards in that sucker rod couplings were used to connect to a polished rod. During the tripping-in process, the mismatched connection caused the polished rod to come free from the sucker rod, fall from its elevated location above the wellhead, and strike an employee, causing fatal injuries near Well site P Peterson 155-99-3-15-22-14H near Williston, North Dakota. Abatement note: Among other feasible and useful means of abatement, the employer can follow the API 11B, API 54, and API 11BR recommendation to ensure that sucker rod couplings are not used on a polished rod and to inspect the couplings to make sure the connections are tightened.