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, well blowout, or crane collapse hazards, Rig #11, on or about May 10, 1990. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be installation of a properly rigged and secured emergency descent device or other satisfactory auxiliary means of egress, such as specified in section 4.7, paragraph 4.7.1, of A.P.I. RP54, First Edition, January 1981, Page 11. Essential elements of this procedure would include: 1) Staking out a securely anchored one-half (1/2) inch wire rope escape line attached to the derrick, mast or pole so as to provide a ready and convenient means of escape from the derrickman's working platform or rod basket. 2) The escape line route is to be kept clear of obstructions. 3) A safety device is to be provided to permit fast and emergency exit from the derrickman's working platform to a safe place. 4) The tension on the escape line is to be periodically checked and adjusted to assure a safe landing and to allow the derrickman to stop twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) feet from the anchor point. 5) The ground anchor point of the escape line is to be located a minimum lateral distance from the derrick, mast or pole equal to the height above ground to the point where the escape line is fastened to the derrick, mast or pole.