Five Deaths in Explosion Bring $118K in Penalties

An investigation launched after five workers were killed at an Oklahoma oil drilling site resulted in citations against three companies, and proposed penalties totaling $188,643, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA cited Patterson-UTI Drilling, Crescent Consulting LLC and Skyline Directional Drilling LLC for exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards. OSHA said the companies failed to maintain proper controls while drilling a well, failed to inspect slow-descent devices and failed to implement emergency response plans. OSHA cited all three companie...