Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: STRUCK BY

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish a place of employment which was 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: (a)Lariat Services, Inc. at Rig 15, SW SE Section 12, T11N, R88W, Clark, CO 80428: On or before 8/25/06, the employer did not ensure that the hoisting lines were thoroughly inspected by qualified employees at least once each month, and a record made of these monthly inspections, designating any noted defects. In addition, the employer did not ensure that these hoisting lines were inspected at least once each day by a qualified person. The employees were not qualified to conduct these inspections for several reasons, including: 1) the employees were not trained to recognize wire rope deficiencies, such as stretching, thinning, and broken wires; 2) employees did not use the appropriate gauges and tools to measure wire rope stretching, thinning, and broken wires, and sheave grooves; 3) the employees were not familiar with wire rope inspection criteria, and 4) the employees were not directed and trained to supersede ton mileage calculations with wire rope inspections if the wire rope inspections identified any deficiencies. Finally, the employer did not ensure that a system of accountability was in place to ensure that both monthly and daily inspections were conducted. Condition exposed employees to struck by hazards when the wire rope parted. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter"). Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is stated in API Recommended Practice 54, Section 9.6.1, which provides that, "All hoisting lines should be visually inspected at least once each day when in use. Hoisting lines should be thoroughly inspected once each month and a record made of the monthly inspection, designating any noted defects." API Recommended Practice 9B Section 6.4 provides that, "A program should be "tailored" to the individual rig...In all cases, visual inspection of the wire rope by the operator should take precedence over any predetermined procedures." The wire rope manufacturer also provides requirements for inspections, and noted that wire rope inspections are to take precedence over ton mile calculations: "It must be remembered that in all cases, visual inspection of wire rope by the drilling contractor must take precedence over any predetermined calculations." (Union Wire Rope Cut-Off Program for 1 1/8" Rotary Drilling Line, no page number available.)