Translate
Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 986437.015
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 01/15/2015 2
Initial Penalty: $7,000.00
Current Penalty: $4,900.00
Issuance Date: 12/18/2014
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 13
Related Event Code (REC):
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0729700
Contest Date:
Final Order: 01/14/2015
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | I: Informal Settlement | 01/14/2015 | $4,900.00 | 01/15/2015 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 12/18/2014 | $7,000.00 | 01/15/2015 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:
OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 struck by hazards: On or before July 24, 2014, employees working Rig #5, SEC 24, TWP 17, R 29, 841 fsl, 653 fel, Dighton, KS 67839 were exposed to struck-by hazards from the uncontrolled rotational movement of manual drilling tongs. This occurred when the wire rope snub line (a/k/a safety line) used to control rotational movement of the Web Wilson Type B Manual Tongs used on the employer's derrick became disconnected from the derrick because the pin used with the shackle anchor that connected the wire rope snub line to the derrick was not secure. As a result, while employees were tripping pipe out of the hole, the screw pin in the shackle worked itself free, allowing the pin to come out of the shackle, which released the wire rope snub line. With the snub line released, the top drill pipe tong became unsecured and its rotational movement uncontrolled, allowing the tong to rapidly rotate out of control and strike employees. This condition exposed employees to the hazard of being struck by the uncontrolled rotational movement of the tong, and in fact, an employee was struck by the tong and died. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement would be to follow the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practices in API RP 54, including: 1) Ensuring that all tongs are securely attached to a suitable fixed structure using wire rope or a stiff arm, as stated in API Recommended Practices 54, Section 9.9.4. 2) Using a rotating pin type shackle, which has a secondary securement system, utilizing a nut and cotter to secure the snub line to the derrick. API Recommended Practices 54, Section 9.2.8 states Bolts, nuts and pins on elevators, wire rope, and catlines, as well as sheave and other anchor bolts in the derrick or mast should be secured. 3) Conducting inspections of tong wire rope safety lines and the clamps and shackles securing them before each tour to ensure that the tongs are securely controlled.