Worker injured by hydraulic feet used to move the catwalk of oil rig
A British Columbia employer is facing a hefty fine after one of its workers was injured in the workplace.
Precision Diversified Oilfield Services Corp. – also known as Precision Drilling Canada LP or Precision Drilling – has been ordered to pay $206,892.98.
On the day of the incident at the Seven Mile Corner site, a worker was walking alongside the catwalk of a rig as it was being moved from one well bore location to another.
The worker tripped and was injured by one of the hydraulic feet used to move the catwalk.
Upon investigation, WorkSafeBC found that the hydraulic feet had not been guarded. Also, the feet had been added after the catwalk was manufactured, and no updated assembly and disassembly instructions were available.
The firm also did not have complete written safe work procedures for moving the catwalk.
“The firm failed to ensure equipment was fitted with adequate safeguards to protect workers from hazardous power transmission parts, a high-risk violation,” according to WorkSafeBC. “The firm also failed to analyze risks arising from its work activities and to implement safe work procedures accordingly. These were both repeated violations.”
Skid-steer loader
Meanwhile, Key-West Asphalt (333) Ltd., in Williams Lake, has been fined $13,560.94, also for an injury to a worker.
In an incident at this firm's highway paving worksite, a skid-steer loader struck and injured a worker.
WorkSafeBC found that no orientation or training records were available for either the loader operator or the injured worker.
“The firm failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. This was a repeated violation,” it said.
Previously, two B.C. employers were charged for violations relating to transport vehicles in the workplace.
Electrical injuries
Field Drilling Contractors Ltd., in Langley, was also charged $6,378.94.
On the day of the incident, two of this firm's workers were setting up equipment to drill a water well at a residential construction site. Part of the drilling equipment made contact with a conductor on an overhead power line, which led to one of the workers who was holding a hose attached to the drilling rig to sustain electrical injuries.
WorkSafeBC found that no hazard assessment had been performed before work started at the site. Also, the drilling had not been adequately planned to maintain a safe limit of approach to the power line.
“The firm failed to provide its worker with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. This was a high-risk violation,” according to WorkSafeBC.
