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

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 the condition(s) listed below: Pool Co TX Inc., Kelly Snyder Oil Field, Sacroc Unit #18-8, approximately seven miles north of Snyder, Texas, on TX Hwy 208. On or about 15 Aug 1996, the operator of a well servicing rig (IRI International Rig #324 s/n 750446) did not have clear view of the rig operations and personnel. The rig operator's view was obstructed by a tarp over the operator's station at the rear of the rig. The operator was thus not able to see whether all employees were clear of the rear cable drum prior to the resumption of regular operations. This exposed the employees to hazards and injuries (death and dismemberment) related to falling from the equipment and into moving machinery. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is: Assure, that when tarps are used provide covering from the sun or the weather, that the rig operator can see all employees from the operator's station or has accounted for all the employees.