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

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 the condition(s) listed below: a) On August 14, 2008, and for a period of time prior to that date, employees of Viking Drilling were working on Rig #4, located on the University Caitlin lease, Block 3, Section 10, University Lands survey, Andrews County, Texas. Cigarette butts were found on the ground near the stairs leading from the doghouse, indicating that employees or other persons were being permitted to smoke in that area, outside of the designated smoking area next to the toolpusher's trailer. Employees were thus not assured of full protection against the hazards of exposure to fire from the ignition of flammable materials, such as petroleum or natural gas.ral