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

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: Arena Drilling Company, Rig #10, 11 Miles SW of Andrews, Thornberry 5A, #5, Andrews, Texas. For the period of time up to and including January 20, 2010, employees were exposed to fall hazards while performing work operations such as cleaning the derrick. Employees were elevated at approximately 25 feet above the rig floor. The employees were being raised and lowered by an air hoist. the air hoist was attached to the safety harness with a lanyard used as a fall arrest system. One employee was fatally injured as he was lowered to the rig floor by an air hoist. Feasible and Acceptable Abatement Methods would include: 1. Ensure that employees are not lowered and raised by an air hoist to clean the derrick. 2. Ensure that employees use the correct application and use of fall protection equipment. 3. Ensure that employees use appropriate fall arrest system while cleaning the derrick. "Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must provide documentation that this violation has been abated within 10 calendar days after the abatement date."ent