At approximately 9:20 a.m. on December 1, 2010, Employee #1, #2 and #3 were working on the barge of an oilrig (Rig Number 1). They were removing a Christmas tree flange, an assembly of valves, spools, and fittings used to control the flow of oil or gas out of the well, with a cutting torch. As Employee #2 and #3 assisted Employee #1, he cut the last bolt of the flange when gas ejected from the control device. The released gas immediately ignited, forming a fireball.
The Christmas tree was blown from the wellhead. All employees received burns from the erupting fireball. The fire burned for approximately five minutes and then burned out. Emergency medical services were summoned.
The onsite Foreman accompanied the three injured employees and brought them in a crew boat to a landing to meet paramedics. Paramedics drove the three injured employees via an ambulance to a medical center.
At the medical center, Employee #1, #2, and #3 received burn treatment and care and were then hospitalized.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $8,400 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $8,400 |
| Current Penalty | $5,040 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,040 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 04/27/2011 | 05/03/2011 | $2,520 | $4,200 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100132 A | 04/27/2011 | 05/03/2011 | $2,520 | $4,200 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement |
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer does not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards of fire and/or explosion which are causing or likely to cause death or serious phyical harm to employees. The employer did not ensure that employees were protected from fire and/or explosion hazards during well servicing operations. This violation occurred on or about December 1, 2010, at XXXXXXXX, Rig #1 where employees, were removing a Christmas tree from the well head without written procedures to ensure the job is done safely. Among other feasible methods to correct the identified hazard, one method would be to follow the guidelines specified by the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, API Recommended Practice 54, Third Edition, August 1999.
https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=314767781