Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 struck-by hazard: At this remote drilling rig site, the employer does not determine if pressure is present and if pressure is available, relieve the pressure prior to employees unclamping the rotating head and removing the rubber gasket. Employees are exposed to the hazard of being struck-by high pressure gas, drilling mud or other equipment related to the sudden and violent release of pressurized natural gas. Among other methods, one (1) feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to: Determine the presence of pressure by the readings on the choke panel, open hydraulic control remote/relief (HCR) valve to see if casing pressure is present. Then open up choke manifold and bleed off pressure. Determine why pressure was present, i.e., plugged lines. Conduct a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and follow its guidelines prior to sending any personnel below the rotary table.