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

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 a struck-by hazard: Conoco gas well, Rosa V. Benavides "F" No. 68, the employer did not protect employees from the recognized hazard of being struck-by an unanchored vent line. On 8-24-98 an employee was fatally struck by an unanchored vent line during the installation of a plunger lift system. The piping of the well was not compatible for the installation of the lift system's vent line nor was there a vessel provided for the employee to anchor the vent line. One means of abatement would be to ensure there is a place in the down stream piping, or other means provided, to anchor the vent line, as referenced in API- RP54 paragraph 8.13.2. which states; relief valve discharges should be located and anchored so as to prevent a hazardous condition due to sudden discharge or piping movement. *** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***uired