Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation
Environmental, Health, & Safety Newsletter 2011
OCTOBER
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Robinson Lake Office Grand Opening OSHA Recordable Accidents
Robinson Lake Office Grand Opening
1 New Robinson Lake Office!
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Denver Spill Drill
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Oilman of the Year
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Halloween Safety Tips
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Calendar
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During the grand opening of Whiting’s new Robinson Lake office building near Stanley, ND, Darius Frick, left, Area Operations Supervisor for the Northern Williston Basin, places a 1¼-inch frac ball from a fracking operation into a time capsule with other items from Whiting’s early beginnings in North Dakota. With him, is Rick Ross, Vice President of Northern Operations.
Happy Halloween
I wish to thank the following persons who have submitted articles and helped with the newsletter. Editor: Katie Nichols Katie.Nichols@Whiting.com
Blaine Hoffmann gives a brief history of Whiting’s presence in North Dakota during the grand opening of the Robinson Lake office.
Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation Contractor OSHA Recordable Accident On August 4, 2011, a contract hot oil truck operator suffered 2nd degree burns to both hands while working in the Whiting’s Keystone Cattle Company field near Kermit, TX. The injured contractor and roustabout crew had been hired to remove paraffin plugs from a tubing string. The work crew was using a stinger attached to the hot oiler spray nozzle in an effort to heat and break the plugs inside the tubing joints. When the injured placed the stinger inside of the tubing, a plug caused the hot water and steam to splash-back on to the operator. The injured was transported to Odessa, TX for medical attention. This case was an OSHA recordable, lost time accident, and chargeable to the contract company. Face Shield Casual Factors The lack of a detailed pre-job hazard recognition tool (JSA or Tailgate Safety Meeting was not conducted for specific task). The lack of proper PPE. Not wearing appropriate gloves, splash goggles, and face shield. The stinger did not have a splash guard in place to prevent the splash-back
Neoprene Gloves
Corrective Actions Ensure that pre-job hazard recognition tool (JSA or Tailgate Safety Meeting) is completed before work begins to identify all associated hazards. Ensure that the contract employee operating the stinger is wearing the appropriate gloves i.e. gauntlet style neoprene. In addition to requiring the correct PPE the contract company will install splash -back guards on stingers. Ray Taylor
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Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation Contractor OSHA Recordable Accident On September 1, 2011, a contract floor-hand working on a well service rig in Whiting’s Postle Field suffered a laceration to his left pinky finger. While in the process of removing a TIW valve from a string of drill pipe. The contract employee was using a 36’’ pipe wrench to loosen the valve but was having trouble getting the valve to release. The injured then asked for assistance from another crew member and the two managed to break the valve loose. The sudden action of breaking the connection caused the injured to pinch his finger between the bales and the handle of the pipe wrench. The injured was transported for medical attention to Guymon, OK where he received stiches to his finger. This case is an OSHA recordable injury chargeable to the contract company. Casual Factors Improper body position placed hand in proximity to pinch point hazard. The lack of a detailed pre-job hazard recognition tool (JSA or Tailgate Safety Meeting) resulted in failure to identify pinch point hazard. Example Below!
Corrective Actions The rig crew will be counseled on proper body positioning by rig supervisor. Ensure that pre-job hazard recognition tools used identify pinch point hazards specific to the task. Ray Taylor
USE SOMETHING LIKE THIS!
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, & SAFETY NEWSLETTER
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Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation Employee OSHA Recordable Accident On September 14th, 2011, a Whiting Oil & Gas employee received second degree burns to his nose, mouth and chin after being sprayed by oil ( 430ºF plus) from a hot oil heater. Work was being performed on a hot oil heater, where a transmitter line had become plugged. As the Hi side oil line was removed from the transmitter, the plug broke free causing hot oil to spray 10-15 feet from the line. The injured employee attempted to reconnect the line to the transmitter at which time the hot oil sprayed the employee in the face. The injured employee was transported to Mountrail Medical Center in Stanley, ND, where he was treated and released. This incident is an OSHA Recordable case. Causal Factors There was no procedure in place for performing work on the transmitters. Job could have been completed without exposing employees to hot oil. The injured employee was new to the job (< 2 weeks) . There was not a JSA or Tailgate completed to recognize and communicate the hazards of the job. The valves to block in and blow down the transmitters where located near the top of the transmitter and not easily accessible. A ladder was not easily accessible to access the valves. Corrective Action A standard operating procedure will be written for performing work on the transmitters. A tailgate safety meeting or JSA will be performed for all tasks and reviewed with new employees/contractors entering the worksite. Place block valves and blow down valves at the same points as Hot Oil Heater #2. Through communication tools, verify proper tools are in place. (slow down) Jason Tuhy
Hi Side
Low Side
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Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation Denver Office Emergency Response Drill
Doug Walton, as Incident Commander, leads members of Whitingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corporate Emergency Response Team (CERT) in an Incident Command tactical meeting during a spill drill held in the Denver Office and Dickenson, ND Production area. on September 13th.
ILL R D
Matt Beal, ICS Planning Section Chief, reviews well control status and response activities with Travis Lauer during September 13th emergency response drill.
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Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation Big Springs production employee, Paul Bass was named 2011 Gaines County Texas “Oilman Of the Year”
P
aul Bass started out working at Hoffman Oil Well Service in 1965 as a Floor hand where he worked his way to Tool Pusher. He left Hoffman and went to work for Sundown Well Service as a Rig Operator and Relief Tool Pusher. He then worked for D.K. Boyd Oil and Gas from 1991 – 1997, and moved on to Smith and Mars, B.C. Operating and then to Celero.
Oilman of the Year!
In April 2005 after a near fatal accident in the Oilfield, he was told he would not work again and should retire. He made a miracle come back and returned to work in October 2005 around the time Whiting Oil and Gas purchased the Celero fields that Paul worked as a Lease Operator. Paul still pumps for Whiting some of the wells D.K. Boyd drilled from his earlier years and continues to operate wells in Andrews, Dawson, Gaines and Yoakum counties for Whiting Oil and Gas.
Paul Bass and his wife Ruby
Paul attended Seminole Schools where he met and married his High School sweetheart, Ruby Burrell. They have been married 46 years. They have three children; Sandy Williams married to Butch Williams. Dustin Bass married to Gwen Bass and Dina Riley, married to Jerry Riley. Paul and Ruby have five grandsons. I met Paul’s family at a hospital in Lubbock, not long after they air lifted him from the accident site in 2005. Through his stay in the hospital I met and spent time with his family. I can tell you first hand, Paul is a very loved, respected and appreciated husband, dad, and grandfather. Paul it is my privilege to work with you, and a great honor to have been there with you and your family as you received this well-deserved award. Congratulations!! Other Whiting employees attending the celebration were Mark Strickland, Vicki Ancinec, Davis Gomez, and Randy Welch. Vickie Reynolds Davis Gomez and Paul Bass
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Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS... Homeowners should prepare their home for trick-ortreaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well.
Provide treats that are individually wrapped or offer kids non-food treats, such as stickers, erasers, and toothbrushes.
Safe Firs ty t!
Artificial lights and candles are a safer alternative to real candles with a flame that can pose a fire hazard If going to an adult Halloween party, make sure that you don't drink and drive. Use a designated driver if alcohol is being consumed.
COSTUME SAFETY… Costumes should be of bright material, visible
in the dark or have reflective tape. Consider using face paint, masks can hinder a child's visibility. If they do wear a mask, make sure it fits securely to allow good visibility. Wear a well fitted costume. Loose costumes may cause the child to trip and fall. Tape child's name, address and telephone number to inside of costume.
TRICK-OR-TREATING SAFETY... Do not allow sharp instruments to be used in costuming. Carry a flash light. Avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys. Walk on well lit streets. Trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods. Approach only homes that have their front porch light on. Be careful about homemade treats or damaged wrappers. Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
Know the route your children will be taking if you are not going with them. Set a curfew for children who are not being supervised by an adult. Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism.
DRIVING SAFETY... Motorists traveling on Halloween night should remember that children are everywhere: streets, sidewalks, crosswalks and parking lots. You will need to be on the highest alert while driving. Many of the costumes children wear are dark and difficult to see, be sure to have your headlights on. Slow down if you see leaves on the ground, you never know where children may be hiding. Be alert at all times and please drive with caution.
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November 2011 Sun 30
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PSM/RMP Audit Dry Trail CERT Training Midland Office
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Denver Emergency Evacuation Training 9-10am 2-3pm
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Veterans Day Midland CERT & Wickett Emergency Response
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Putnam/Oswego Incident Investigation Training
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CPR/First Aid/AED Training Fairfield
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CPR/First Aid/AED Training Robinson Lake
Denver Emergency Evacuation Training 2-3pm
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24 HAPPY THANKSGIVING
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26 Whiting Observed Holiday
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Note to Contractors: Whiting Safety Meetings are open to any contractors who wish to attend. Contact Whiting field office in your area for dates and times.