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

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 physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: Being caught within the arc of the Tongs' handles when inadvertent engagement of the Rotary Clutch with drill pipe Tongs latched to the pipe. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to establish and enforce an adequate procedures. Essential elements of the procedure would include: 1.An automatic cathead be inspected regularly to be ensure that it is properly adjusted, thereby minimizing the possibility of its dragging or grabbing. 2.Frayed, kinked or otherwise damaged breaking lines not be used on a Cathead and be replaced. 3.If the Driller is unable to watch all operations at the same time, a signalman be available to watch the operation and signal directions to the Driller. 4.The Rotary Table not be started until the floorman are out of the way of moving parts. 5.Before power is applied to break a drill pipe connection, the Driller ensures that the floormen are clear of the Tongs' handles. A crew member caught within the arc of the tongs handles can suffer serious injury. 6.The Rotary Clutch not be engaged if drill pipe tongs are latched onto the pipe or anything else in the rotary. The only exceptions are (1) when tongs are used to hold joint or stand of pipe as it is spun out with the rotary after the connection has been broken or loosened with two sets of tongs, and (2) when backup tongs are so tight that they cannot be broken unless the rotary is turned slightly. 7.Crew members check the safety line and stand clear when the tongs are used under heavy strain. 8.When a crew member is in doubt about an apparently unsafe condition, he should consult the Driller.