Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: FALLING

Section 5(a)(1) of Public Law 91-596, 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 fall hazards: (a)West Bank, Noble Max Smith - Employees were being transported on/off of rig by means of personnel baskets: The following deficiencies were noted with the personnel platform: i.A grab rail was not installed inside the entire perimeter of the personnel platform. ii.The personnel platform was not conspicuously posted with a plate or other permanent markings which indicates the weight of the platform and its rated load capacity or maximum intended load. iii.Personnel platforms were used to hoist only materials or tools when not hoisting personnel. iv.Employees occupying the personnel platform did not use a body belt/harness system with lanyard appropriately attached to the lower load block or overhaul ball, or to a structural member within the personnel platform capable of supporting a fall impact for employees using the anchorage. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods would include: Following basic requirements of 29 CFR 1926.550(g) concerning suspended personnel platforms and using cranes or derricks to hoist employees on a personnel platform only when the erection, use, and dismantling of conventional means of reaching the worksite would be more hazardous or is not possible because of structural design or worksite conditions.