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

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 potential sudden and unexpected release of pressure during stump testing of a blow-out preventer: On or about April 1, 2013 at Helmrich and Payne Rig #399 employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while stump testing the blow-out preventer at 10,000 pounds and the auto clave connector failed, unexpectedly releasing approximately 10,000 pounds of pressure. A. Evaluation and assessment of the port into which an autoclave connector would be threaded into was not conducted to ensure the threads of the male and female fittings were of the proper size and configuration. B. The type, pressure rating, size, and end connections for each piece of equipment to be used or tested, as documented by permanent markings on the equipment or by records that are traceable was not verified prior to the initiation of testing the blow-out preventer. C. An adequate buffer zone restricting the direction of movement by personel into and near the area where the blow-out preventer was being tested was not established and marked.