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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 307594127
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Status: X
Initial Penalty: $3,500.00
Current Penalty: $3,500.00
Issuance Date: 09/13/2004
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 6
Abatement Date: 09/30/2004
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0625700
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Related Event Code (REC): A
Emphasis:
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: UNAPEQUIP
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 in that employees were exposed to the hazard of: For the period of time up to and including 05 May 04, the employer did not always ensure that threaded couplings (hammer unions) used to connect the well casing to a pump were in good condition and free from thread damage prior to pressurizing the casing. The threaded coupling, rated at 6000 psi, at the casing nipple failed when the pressure applied reached 3300 psi. This condition exposed employees and other contractor personnel to the hazards and injuries related to the sudden and unexpected release of hydraulic pressure from the casing. American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP54 Paragraph 6.3.2 states that: "Well Operations involving the rig shall not be commenced until the rig is rigged up in a safe manner." American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP54 Paragraph 9.13.3 states that: "Each section of high pressure rigid line should be secured using appropriate means to prevent movement should the line fail..." American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP54 Paragraph 9.13.4 states that: "In normal operations, pumps, piping, hoses, valves, and other fittings shall not be operated at pressures greater than their rated working pressure and shall be maintained in good operating condition." American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP54 Paragraph 9.13.5 states that: "Hammer unions shall be made up of like halves with the same pressure ratings and thread type." Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to: 1. Assure that the threads of the hammer union and mating parts are in good condition. 2. Assure that the threads of the hammer union and mating parts are compatible and have the same pressure ratings. Also assure that any potential for cross-threading has been eliminated. 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.