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 a fire and explosion: Employee was exposed to the hazard of fire and explosion due to the failure to erect a Geronimo Emergency Escape Line with a properly installed Geronimo Emergency Escape Device at Rig Number 5: This occurred on or about November 17, 1999 on Quality Controls & Equipment, Inc., Rig Number 5. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be installation of a properly rigged and secured emergency descent or other satisfactory auxiliary means of egress, such as specified in Section 5, Sub-Section 5.7, Paragraph 5.7.1 of American Petroleum Institute (API) RP54-92, page number 12. Essential elements of this procedure would include: 1.Staking out a securely anchored one-half inch wire rope escape line attached to the derrick or mast so as to provide a ready and convenient means of escape from the Derrickman's working platform. 2.The escape line route is to be kept clear of obstructions. 3.A safety device is to be provided to permit fast emergency exit from the Derrickman's working platform to a safe place. 4.The tension on the escape line is to be periodically checked and adjusted to assure a safe landing and to allow the Derrickman to stop twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) feet from the anchor point. 5.The ground anchor point of the escape line is to be located a minimum lateral distance from the derrick or mast equal to the height above ground level to the point where the escape line is fastened.