Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: DUST&FUMES

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 likely to cause death or serious physical harm to the employees in that employees were exposed to fire, explosion and/or release of toxic fumes due to the uncontrolled release of pressurized gas or fumes: (a)NOMAC Drilling, Rig #241 - Employees were exposed to hazards such as but not limited to, toxic fumes, fire, and explosions while performing work on the rig floor. Employees were overcome by toxic fumes coming out the end of the drill string while tripping pipe, well control was not maintained at all times, as determined on 05/21/09. NOTE: Among other methods, one or more feasible and acceptable abatement method to prevent this hazard is to; a) ensure proper well control equipment is on site and utilized to maintain well control as addressed in Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice 54, Third Edition, August 1999, paragraph 6.1.1 "Well control shall be maintained at all times. Consideration shall be made to ensure appropriate equipment and materials are on location and operational before work commences.", b) install the T.I.W valve and close off valve at the first indication of abnormal smoke or odor coming out of the drill string when tripping out, c) use a high temp rated float valve, d) install a fire stop or fire float in the drill string, e) install additional drill string floats, f) use nitrogen injection down the drill pipe when MWD is used, and/or g) add/Install a shear ram to the Blow out Preventer (BOP). ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM