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

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 the hazard of explosions and fires. On or about 8 May 2008, and at other times prior thereto, at Reyes #1 well, Rig #9, employees were involved in performing horizontal drilling operations. Premium Well Drilling Rig #9 employees were exposed to explosions and fire injuries in that: a.The Allis-Chalmers blowout preventer was not tested to its full rating after installation. b.The blowout preventer was not inspected daily. c.An actuation test was not performed after each round trip, not to exceed once per 24 hour period. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to ensure that designated rig employees have adequate understanding of and are able to properly install, operate, and maintain the blowout preventer system by establishing a blowout preventer training and evaluation program as recommended in Chapter 6 of the American Petroleum Institute, Recommended Practices for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling Operations, RP54, Third Edition, August 1999, Reaffirmed, March 2007.