A Halliburton employee died while servicing a well on a North Dakota oil rig in January. As a result of the unsafe work conditions present at the time of his death, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a $14,000 fine to the company for two serious safety violations.
The employee was killed when a pipe from high-pressure line fell and struck him on the head during a hydraulic fracturing job. An area representative from the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said Halliburton “failed in its responsibility to maintain a worksite free from recognized safety hazards, such as struck-by hazards that can occur as the result of high-pressure lines and stored energy.” The representative also remarked, “it is tragic when a worker is killed on the job; employers must take all precautions to prevent such incidents.”
A fine of $7,000 was issued for each individual infraction. The Houston-based oil giant has not previously been cited for violations in North Dakota and has 15 days to comply or request a conference to contest the findings.
If you or someone you know have been injured in a workplace related accident, contact the attorneys at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211.