Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 003 Hazard: EXPLOSION

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 a fire and explosion hazard: a.Employer had not trained designated rig personnel in an adequate understanding of the blowout preventer system. b.Employer did not conduct BOP drills under a variety of conditions. c.Employer did not inspect the blowout prevention equipment daily and perform a blowout preventer activation test prior to each round trip. One (1) feasible and acceptable method of abatement to assure well control at all times is to have: 1.Assure that designated personnel have an understanding of and are able to operate the blowout preventer equipment. 2.Conduct testing of blowout preventer equipment to assure the equipment is functioning properly during drilling and well completion operations as addressed in the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gass Well Drilling and Servicing Operations.