UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: LOCKOUT

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 caught by and/or crushing hazards from moving/rotating parts without a lockout/tagout program. (a)Hayes Petroleum & Mile Marker 41 on Hwy 139, Rangely, CO: On or before October 2, 2002, the exposing employer did not ensure that work activities, involving the adjustment of drawwork (winch) brake bands, were conducted while locked out/tagged out in a deenergized state. Employees were exposed to caught by and/or crushing hazards from moving/rotating parts while performing the brake adjustment activities. An analysis of potential hazards, which would be an element of an effective lockout/tagout program, was not conducted prior to brake adjustments being performed. During drawworks operation, following brake adjustments, an employee received fatal caught-by and crushing injuries when he attempted to close brake covers that were not closed when brake adjustments were completed. The brake covers had been opened when the brake band adjustments were initiated. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards is to: (a)Develop and implement an effective lockout/tagout program, as per "Recommended Practices for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations", American Petroleum Institute, API Recommended Practice 54 (RP 54), Third Edition, August 1999, paragraph 6.9.1, as follows: A lock-out or tag-out system should be established as follows: a)Locks and/or tags should be placed to plainly identify the equipment or circuits being worked on. Critical systems locked or tagged should include identity or job title of person installing the lock or tag. b)Personnel should be trained and disciplined in the use of this system to prevent unexpected operation of any equipment that stores any type of energy that might inflict injury to person. c)The lock or tag should be removed by the person who installed it or by that person's authorized representative. In the event neither individual is available, the lock or tag may be removed by the rig supervisor after ensuring that no hazard will be created by energizing the locked or tagged equipment or circuit(s). Abatement Note: Abatement certification is not required for this item. Abatement observed during inspection on October 31, 2002.er