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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees conducting well servicing operations where employees were exposed to potential injury and/or death due to the lack of anti-two blocking or some other device that would positively prevent the traveling block from striking the crown block. a) Among other methods, one method feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is to equip the workover rig(s) with anti-two blocking, crownomatics, or other positive devices that will prevent the traveling block from making contact with the crown block and exceeding design specifications in accordance with API RP 54-99, Section 9, Sub-Section 9.4, Paragraph 9.4.7, "Traveling blocks shall be properly guarded and shall not be operated unless guards are in place," and 30 CFR 250.511, Traveling Block Safety Device, "...all units being used for well completion operations which have both a traveling block and a crown block shall be equipped with a safety device which is designed to prevent the traveling block from striking the crown block ." DISCLAIMERS: 1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above. 2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate method.iate