Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 struck-by hazards related to unstable rig derrick structure: On or about September 2, 2009, at this well site with Rig Number 2, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from struck-by hazards during the rigging up phase. Among others, one feasible means of abatement would be to adhere to the relevant sections of the employer's Safety Policy and Procedures Manual [Reference 1] and the American Petroleum Institute's API RP 54, "Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations" (1999) [Reference 2] by performing the following: a.maintain continuous supervision by the Toolpusher (i.e. Rig Manager, the lead official on site) during the critical operations phase of rigging up, in accordance with [Ref 1] Section 9.2.7 and [Ref 2] Chapter (X) - Derrick Operations, Section (A) - Raise/Lower Mast, Subsection (1.0) - Requirements; b.keep employees out of the derrick structure until it was fully raised and stabilized, in accordance with [Ref 1] Sections 9.2.9 and 9.2.12; c.develop and implement a mechanical integrity inspection program for critical parts including, but not limited to, the derrick locking pins, in accordance with [Ref 1] Sections 9.2.1 and 9.16.1 and [Ref 2] Chapter (X) - Derrick Operations, Section (A) - Raise/Lower Mast, Subsection (3.0) - Safety; d.address defective conditions and problems areas found prior to raising the rig mast, in accordance with [Ref 2] Chapter (X) - Derrick Operations, Section (A) - Raise/Lower Mast, Subsection (2.0) - Inspections.