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

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 fall hazards: On or about March 11, 2008, Rig 11, Ashton #1, Ballinger, Texas, an employee fell approximately 65 feet due to not tying off while working on the derrick. No documentation was provided by the employer that employees have been trained on fall protection and fall arrest systems. The training rosters for Rig 11 did not show that fall protection and fall arrest systems training was provided by the employer. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to implement a fall protection training program; then train the employees on fall protection.