Region 6 News Release:   OSHA-01-112
October 30, 2001
Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd
Phone: (214) 767-4776, Ext. 222 or 221

OSHA CITES PATTERSON-UTI DNERGY FOR ALLEGED SAFETY VIOLATIONS

DALLAS - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Patterson-UTI Dnergy Inc., in Snyder, Texas, for exposing employees to fall hazards, electrical hazards and unguarded machinery. The oil and gas well drilling company, which employs about 6,000 workers in Snyder, was charged with 11 alleged serious safety violations, with proposed penalties of $44,500.

The alleged violations were discovered during an inspection that began May 9, 2001, on rig #131 at an oil well site on County Road 220 in Warden County. OSHA found that the company exposed employees to fall hazards from the right through open sided platforms. Additionally, there were improper machine guarding, electrical hazards on the rig and untrained operators.

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.

Employers or workers who have questions concerning safety and health may contact the OSHA Corpus Christi office at (361) 888-3420, or OSHA's toll-free hotline at 1-800-321-6742, to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

Patterson has 15 working days from receipt of the citations, to either comply, request an informal conference with the Corpus Christi OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.