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

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 conditions listed below: a) Nebo Hemphill Field, Shapiro #1 well, south of Jena LA. On or about 8 Sep 98, the employer failed to assure that the plugged well was free of all oil and oil by-products prior to employees cutting into the surface and casing pipe with a torch. Oil had seeped into the upper section of pipe since the time the well had been plugged, and hydrostatic pressure had developed. Cutting into the pipe caused the oil to spray out and ignite. This condition exposed employees to the hazards and injuries from fire. According to API Bulletin E3, First Edition, dated January 31, 1993, Pg 14, Para 2.5: "Critical plug placement should be verified during plugging operations to ensure any fluid migration pathways have been sealed. Plug verification is important to ensure that the plug is where it is supposed to be and that the cement has hardened." Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to utilize a vacuum truck prior to the capping operation to remove any and all residual oil, gas, etc.