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

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 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 rotating parts of drilling rigs: a. On or about May 16, 2007, and times prior to, at various worksites surrounding Dallas Texas, the employer failed to ensure a CME Drilling rig #RO79 had been inspected and maintained or repaired to operate in a safe manner. Employees were exposed to rotating parts of the drilling rig without operable emergency stop switches and a throttle control cable. b. On or about May 16, 2007, and times prior to, at a worksite located at 5 Victorian Cr, Allen, TX, the employer failed to ensure CME Drilling Rig #RO55 was operated in a safe manner. Employees were exposed to potential contact with rotating parts while the rig had a damaged throttle cable and inoperative emergency stop switches. REFERENCES: ANSI B30.6 - 1977 section 6-3.2.3 subsection j: "All controls shall be tested by the operator before beginning a new shift. If any controls do not operate properly, they shall be adjusted or repaired before operations are begun." The Employer's Safety Program page 3 of 5: "- Employees must be sure that all 'kill' switches are functioning properly." ABATEMENT: AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND USEFUL ABATEMENT METHODS TO CORRECT THE HAZARD ARE: a. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and use only replacement parts specified by the manufacturer. b. Ensure designated persons with training and experience conduct frequent and thorough periodic inspections of the rigs and follow the manufacturer's recommendations when determining each drilling rig is capable of continuing to operate.