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 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 struck by hazards: a) Leed Energy Services, EnCana well site CO4, N. Piceance, Parachute, Colorado: The employer had not ensured that prior to pumping high pressured water through a pipe and hose assembly into a wellbore to thaw an ice plug, each section of line was adequately secured to prevent unsafe movement. On or about 4/19/2007, an employee was seriously injured after a 20 foot long (3000 PSI rated) section of rotary hose separated from its coupling. The severed rotary hose was equipped with a "safety cable" rated for a maximum working pressure of 200 PSI. While pumping water into the wellbore at approximately 2900 PSI, the rotary hose failed causing a violent liquid pressure release and subsequent hose whipping action. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow the "corrective actions" section listed in the "Safety Alert" (#00-24 & #98-23) bulletins published by the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) thereby ensuring that properly rated, placed, and secured safety clamps are utilized on all high pressure hose. b) Leed Energy Services, EnCana well site CO4, N. Piceance, Parachute, Colorado: On or about 4/19/2007, while employees of the company were using a Gardner Denver brand tri plex pump to inject water under high pressure into a wellbore, a 3000 pound rated rotary hose separated from the coupling assembly causing a sudden release of pressure and, violent whipping action. The pressure relief device on the pump was set to discharge at 5000 PSI while pumping water through a rotary hose designed for a maximum working pressure of 3000 PSI. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice 54, paragraph 9.13.6 which states the following: Pressure relief devices shall be set to discharge at a pressure equal to or less than the rated working pressure of any pump, piping, hose, or fitting that the device is to protect. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification