OSHA proposes to fine Grey Wolf Drilling $71,000 for violations related to fatal accident

Nov. 12, 2001
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed citations with penalties totaling $71,000 against Grey Wolf Drilling Co. for alleged violations in connection with a fatal accident at a George West, Tex., drilling site.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Nov. 12 -- The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed citations with penalties totaling $71,000 against Grey Wolf Drilling Co. for alleged violations in connection with a fatal accident at a George West, Tex., drilling site.

The alleged violations were discovered during an OSHA investigation that began June 7, 2001, in response to a fatality that occurred when an employee lost his balance and fell from the top of the derrick 85 ft to the floor of the drilling rig.

In a separate case, OSHA cited Grey Wolf in July for five alleged safety violations found during an inspection in May at a drilling site in Alice, Tex., for which the agency proposes penalties totaling $92,500.

Grey Wolf spokesman Gary Lee said that the company plans to contest all the allegations. He said that the company has all necessary systems, equipment, and programs in place to provide a safe environment for all its workers.

Grey Wolf, Houston, employs about 2,400 workers. Nine workers were employed at the George West site at the time of the June accident.

The company was cited with 11 alleged serious violations that include lack of personal protective equipment, improper fall protection, improper rigging of wire rope lines that run to the ground for an emergency exit, and allowing the distance between rungs, cleats, or steps of fixed ladders to exceed 12 in. OSHA said a serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

A citation was also issued for two repeat violations, defined as failing the standard upon reinspection: failing to provide emergency showers for employees handling acids and corrosive materials, and exposing employees to bare wires by failing to provide strain relief on pulled electrical equipment.

At the Alice site, Grey Wolf was cited with one willful, three serious, and one repeat violation. The alleged violations included failing to protect employees from fall hazards while erecting a rig, failing to protect employees from hazards of being struck by materials being carried or moved by a crane, failure to guard floor holes, and using damaged and kinked wire rope slings. The alleged repeat violation was a failure to have guard rails on floors.