Labor Commission, Occupational Safety and Health

Section R614-2-11

Drilling Industry - Walking, Working Surfaces

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 33061
Filed: 10/15/2009 08:17:31 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this amendment is to bring Utah standards for fall protection on walking and working surfaces in the drilling industry into conformity with federal standards. The Utah Labor Commission's Rule R614-2, which establishes safety standards for the drilling industry, has not been substantively updated since 1998. Section R614-2-11 as currently in effect requires guardrails, handrails and/or covers to protect workers from falls of 6 feet or more. However, federal safety standards at 29 CFR 1910.23(b)(3) now require such protection against falls of 4 feet or more. In order to maintain the status of Utah's occupational safety and health program "as effective as" the federal program, it is necessary that the state standard conform to the federal standard.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed amendment changes the height that triggers the requirement for guarding of openings from 6 feet to 4 feet.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Title 34A, Chapter 5

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The proposed amendment will result in no increase or decrease in state regulatory or enforcement costs. The proposed amendment will not result in any compliance costs or savings, since existing federal standards already apply the 4 foot height standard that is being proposed by this amendment.

local governments:

The proposed amendment will not result in any compliance costs or savings, since existing federal standards already apply the 4 foot height standard that is being proposed by this amendment.

small businesses:

The proposed amendment will not result in any compliance costs or savings, since existing federal standards already apply the 4 foot height standard that is being proposed by this amendment.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

The proposed amendment will not result in any compliance costs or savings, since existing federal standards already apply the 4 foot height standard that is being proposed by this amendment.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

Persons subject to this proposed amendment to Utah standards are already subject to, and complying with, federal safety standards that require safety devices for protection against falls of 4 feet or more. Consequently modifying the Utah standards to also require protection against falls of 4 feet or more will not impose any additional compliance costs on affected persons.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

Because this proposed amendment mirrors the existing federal rule, the change is not expected to have any fiscal impact on businesses. It will, however, eliminate a point of possible confusion between state and federal regulations.

Sherrie Hayashi, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Labor Commission
Occupational Safety and Health
160 E 300 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-2316

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• William Adams at the above address, by phone at 801-530-6897, by FAX at 801-530-7606, or by Internet E-mail at wadams@utah.gov
• Louis Silva at the above address, by phone at 801-530-6872, by FAX at 801-538-6390, or by Internet E-mail at lsilva@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

12/01/2009

This rule may become effective on:

12/08/2009

Authorized by:

Sherrie Hayashi, Commissioner

R614. Labor Commission, Occupational Safety and Health.

R614-2. Drilling Industry.

R614-2-11. Drilling Industry -- Walking, Working Surfaces.

A. Guardrails, Handrails and Covers.

1. Guarding of Floor Openings and Floor Holes.

Floor openings and floor holes shall be guarded by a standard railing and toeboards and/or cover.

2. Guarding of Wall Openings.

Wall openings from which there is a drop of more than [6]4 feet shall be guarded.

3. Guarding of Open-Sided Floors, Platforms, and Runways

a. Every open-sided floor or platform [6]4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing, or equivalent.

b. Standard railing shall be provided on the inside of all mud tank runways unless other means are available to prevent an employee from falling into the mud tanks.

c. Regardless of height, open-sided floors, walkways, platforms, or runways above or adjacent to dangerous equipment and similar hazards shall be guarded with a standard railing and toeboard.

4. Stairway Railings and Guards.

Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with standard stair railings on open sides.

B. Floors, Stairways, and Platforms.

1. Floors, stairways, and platforms shall be free of dangerous projections or obstructions and shall be maintained in good repair and reasonably free from oil, grease, water, or other materials of similar nature. Where the type of operation necessitates working on slippery floor areas, such surfaces shall be protected against slipping by the use of mats, grates, cleats, or other methods to provide reasonable protection.

2. Each corner of a crown block shall be securely bolted or welded to the mast or derrick.

3. Each finger of a finger board shall be bolted or welded to its support beam.

4. Any temporary stabbing board or other temporary boards placed in the derrick shall be securely fastened.

5. On all derricks, ladder platforms shall be installed adjacent to, and shall provide safe access to the work platforms.

6. Ladder platforms are to be located at the crown of all drilling rigs.

7. With the exception of the stabbing board and derrick board, every platform erected on the inside of a derrick shall completely cover the space from the working edge of the platform back to the legs and girts of the derrick.

C. Exits, Access, and Egress.

1. Exits shall be provided to the outside on at least 3 sides of the derrick floor.

2. All work stations shall have two means of egress, except for hopper house.

3. No exit door of the derrick floor, including all doors of the doghouse, shall be held closed with a lock or outside latch while anyone is on the derrick floor.

4. No employee shall slide down any pipe, kelly hose, cable, or rope line except in the event of an extreme emergency.

5. No employee shall use the catline as a means of ascending to or descending from any point in the derrick except in an emergency. Even then, the rotary table shall be locked out and qualified employees shall operate the cathead and controls.

 

KEY: safety

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [December 4, 1998]2009

Notice of Continuation: November 2, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 34A-6