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 the condition(s) listed below: a) On August 14, 2008, and for a period of time prior to that date, employees of Viking Drilling were working on Rig #4, located on a well site on the University Caitlin lease, Block 3, Section 10, University Lands survey, Andrews County, Texas. The ladder on the side of the derrick, used for access to the crown block and the monkey board, did not reach the rig floor but rather terminated at approximately 10 feet from the rig floor. Every person using this ladder was forced to climb up the derrick framework, without regular handholds, steps, or rungs. Employees were thus not assured of full protection against the hazard of falling up to 10 feet. One feasible means of abatement includes installing another section of ladder after rigging up the derrick, so that employees can mount the ladder from the rig floor.