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 to each of his employees a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious phyical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of a sudden and unexpected pressurized gas release. On or about 19 Nov 2009, the employer failed to maintain control of the Sumner 25-13-14 H-1 gas well while removing and replacing packing material around the tubing hangar inside the tubing spool piece. Failure of the tubing spool piece exposed employees and other contractor personnel to the sudden and unexpected release of natural gas under pressure. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to: 1.Develop a specific procedure for the removal of the securing/locking pins to include the positioning of employees and other contractor personnel to ensure their safety at all times. 2.Ensure that all employees and/or contractor personnel have been trained and understand all the tasks that need to be accomplished, including basic well control as it relates to the assigned tasks. 3.Establish and maintain a safety program specifically concerning the safety of the crew during normal well servicing operations and potential emergency situations. DISCLAIMERS: 1)You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above. 2)The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate method.