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

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 struck-by hazards during gas well swabbing operations. On or about July 16, 2020, an employee performing swabbing operations of a natural gas well was exposed to struck-by hazards from the unsafe movement of gas well swabbing piping while relieving the gas pressure from the well. Feasible and acceptable means of abatement include, but are not limited to: a). Implement the measures outlined in the Diversified Gas & Oil Corporation DGOC Swab Rig Procedures, dated 8/13/2020. b). Develop a risk assessment, policy, and/or procedure that prohibits releasing well pressure to the air and requires pressure to be released through secured lines and/or into a tank, in accordance with the following sections of The American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 54, titled; Occupational Safety and Health for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, FOURTH EDITION, FEBRUARY 2019; Section 4.2. and Section 7.11, which states; Section 4.2.1. Each company should evaluate the workplace hazards and risks and develop and implement measures to manage identified risks. Section 4.2.2. Job tasks, including potential simultaneous operations, shall be risk assessed before operations commence. The risk assessment shall be communicated during a pre-job meeting with the crew and other involved personnel. Section 4.2.3. Each company should determine the best method to conduct a risk assessment appropriate for the task which may include, but are not limited to; (1) a documented process, (2) a visual or verbal process, (3) the Job Safety Analysis, or (4) other company specific process to recognize risk. Section 7.11.2. Pressure relief valve discharges should be located and secured to prevent a hazardous condition due to sudden discharge or piping movement. Section 7.11.3. Based on a risk assessment, lines and hoses should be appropriately secured to restrict unsafe movement that could cause serious injury or death. Other suspended hydraulic and, air lines should be appropriately secured. A buffer zone based on the risk assessment is recommended to limit injury exposure. c). Require well tanks to be emptied if they are full or nearly full prior to or during a swabbing operation.