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

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 burn hazards: a)LEED Energy Services & Rig Number 718 near 25715 WCR 51, Greeley, CO: The employer did not ensure that natural gas vapor was discharged to a safe location. On or about July 25, 2007, an employee operating the high pressure pump received fatal burn injuries as a result of the ignition of natural gas vapor. The employer installed a diesel engine pump skid with known ignition sources approximately 75 feet from the flow back tank. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to ensure that "Discharges of oil or gas to the atmosphere should be to a safe area, preferably on the downwind side of the well and a minimum of 100 feet (30.5 m) from the wellhead, open flame, or other sources of ignition" in accordance with American Petroleum Institute (API) RP 54, Section 12.1.8. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement Letter").