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

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 potential fall hazard associated with lifting personnel on the oil rig's winches: (a)Frontier Drilling, LLC & Rig # 3 County Rd 352, Rifle, CO 81650: On or before July 19, 2007, the employer did not ensure that employees utilizing fall protection equipment was suitable and complied with the applicable provisions of the standard. Employees utilize chains connected to the cable of a pnuematic winch line system located on the rig floor, by connecting and doubling up the chains through the back D-ring of the full body harness, and tying a knot to prevent the chain from pulling apart while the employee was being hoisted. The employee would then be lifted by the full body harness to work on equipment that was elevated off of the rig floor. The condition exposed the employee to a fall hazard of approximately 40 feet. Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter"). Abatement Note: Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable method can be found in the American National Standards Institute Z359.1-1992, Section 7.2.1, which provides that, "No knots shall be tied in lanyards, lifelines, or anchorage connectors. Sliding hitch knots shall not be used in lieu of fall arresters." In addition, section 7.2.2, "Mulitple connections into a single ring are not recommended (i.e., two snaphooks: snaphook and webbing: snaphook and carabiners).