Rig Floor Safety

Rig Floor
The relatively small work area in which the rig crew
conducts operations, usually adding or removing
drillpipe to or from the drillstring. The rig floor is the
most dangerous location on the rig because heavy
iron is moved around there. Drillstring connections are made
or broken on the drillfloor, and the driller's console for controlling the
major components of the rig are located there. Attached to the rig
floor is a small metal room, the doghouse, where the rig crew can
meet, take breaks and take refuge from the elements during idle
times.
 Rig Hazards
Drilling Rig Safety Requires a “Safety First” Mindset
Working on a drilling rig is risky business by anyone’s standards. Safety must
a matter of paramount concern in order to prevent injuries and accidents.
• At sea, risks include storms and inclement weather, humidity, strong winds,
tides and sun exposure, as well as relative isolation for extended periods of
time. On land, workers may experience excessive heat and humidity or, at
the opposite extreme, cold temperatures and strong winds.
• “In both locations, long shifts, arduous labor, wet, slippery work surfaces,
and uneven terrain may create potentially hazardous conditions under foot
that may result in falls and injuries. In addition, constant exposure to
excessive noise is fatiguing and working with heavy equipment daily may
lead to safety lapses that result in both minor and major threats to life
safety and health.
 Some of the Safety Violations Cited by OSHA
• Employee riding the traveling blocks
• No Geronimo Line from Monkey Board(Derrickman’s platform).
• Floor Holes in rig floor/crown walk around
• Safety Goggles not clean and in good repair
• Break Out Tongs – Wire clips had u-bolt on live end of line
• Kelly hose not secured with chains
• V-Door opening not guarded
• Unfortunately, accidents that result from failure to pay attention to
safety protocols and procedures happen all too often. A good motto
to keep in mind is that no job is so important or service so urgent that
rig operations cannot be done with a “safety first” mindset.
• Workers on drilling and workover rigs may sometimes take matters
into their own hands, resulting in safety violations or, worse, injury.
And while it is the rig operator’s responsibility to see that they are
sufficiently trained and that the workplace is free from hazards, it is
vital that every person on a rig site develop a keen sense of safety.
 Assess Risk Factors Before Problems Occur
• Build a safer and more secure worksite by eliminating hazards
wherever possible. This sets the stage for preventing mistakes and
accidents before they occur.
• Grainger says that routine safety audits at rig sites are essential. Both
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and OGP
provide fact sheets and a variety of tools for performing on-site safety
audits.
 Best Practices and Safety Equipment Key to
Reducing Risk
• 1- Machine Protection
Proper training, electrical surge protection, regular equipment checks and maintenance, along with appropriate lockout/tagout tools
and procedures will reduce accidents and injuries that result from improper handling and maintenance of energized or mechanical
equipment.
• 2- Lighting Safety and Safety Signage
Reliable lighting and installation of highly visible safety signage can help workers perform their jobs better and warn of potential
hazards.
• 3- Fall Protection
Falls can result when working in wet, slippery conditions or when performing tasks in elevated areas or uneven terrain. Examining
work surfaces and utilizing material and products can reduce the likelihood that such falls will take place.
• 4- Worker Identification Products
Implement the use of wearable ID tags and routine shift check-in/check-out procedures. This let supervisors and emergency
responders know the location of every worker on the rig at all times.
• 5- Adequate Productivity and Safety Tool Boxes
Oil and gas rig workers may require ready access to tool boxes equipped with equipment needed to take care of repairs and to
perform routine maintenance. Depending on the worksite, these may include electrical parts, material handling aids, plumbing
components, hand tools, power tools, and welding gear.
• OSHA requires emergency response plans for every drilling site, which
can vary depending on the rig’s location and layout. Grainger says
that an effective plan should always include the ready availability of
appropriate emergency and rescue equipment, as well as a program
for training and drilling of all supervisors and workers on emergency
escape and rescue procedures.
 Around Rotary Tables
There are many more safety tips that could be added, but if these are followed by
the crew and enforced by the driller, many accidents can be eliminated around the
rotary table.
Slippery floors are the cause of a large percentage of slipping and falling
accidents. It is recommended that:
1.Flooring should be built of good heavy material, and as nearly flat and level as
possible.
2.Suitable non-skid material should be used on all working areas wherever possible.
3.Toe holds or cleats should be used only when necessary.
4.Drain holes should be in low places to drain drilling mud from the floor.
5.The rig floor pipe rack decking should be constructed of material that allows
stands to drain while racked in the derrick.
6.Flat, level covers for all openings in the floor (mouse hole, rotary lock, etc.) should
be available and used.
7.All guards and rails should be in place at all times.
 Handling Drill Pipe, Tongs, Power Tongs, Slips, and
Spinning Chain
1.Tong handlers should assume a position on the inside or throat of the tongs and close to the drill
pipe at all times. This position will keep the tong handlers away from whipping chains and tong
lines.
2.The floorman’s hands should never be close to a joint in the jaws of the tongs. One hand should
be on the handle of the lead jaw and one hand on the handle of tongs while coming out of the
hole. While going in the hole, hands should be on the jaw handles.
3.Crew members should examine tong lines for proper clamps and frayed ends of cables each
tour. Lines should be clamped with no hitches or knots.
4.Derrickmen should examine tong derrick lines and sheaves at least weekly.
5.Use long spinning chains. Take enough wraps around the pipe to make certain that the chain will
not slip before the joint is tightened.
6.It is recommended that a soft-rope tail be used on the spinning line and that this tail is never over
8” in length.
7.Drillers should always have all of the slack out of the cathead line before all the power is used in
spinning up the joint.
8.The floorman should handle slips with palms of hands up.
9.When pulling the slips, lower the body by bending the knees and not the back. Let the legs do
the lifting; avoid using the back for heavy or awkward load lifting.
Drilling Operation Hazards

Handling Tubular
Hazards and Controls
 HAZARD
• Being struck by rolling or falling tubulars.
• Being struck by or caught between tubulars and other objects during
movement
• (for example, being struck by tubulars being tailed into the rig floor).
• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Getting struck by falling tubulars due to lifting equipment failure.
 CONTROLS
• 2.1 Handling Tubulars
• Use powered industrial truck (forklift) properly.
• Work the tubulars from the ends from ground level.
• Chock or pin tubulars on the racks properly.
• Level your pipe racks properly.
• Stand clear of suspended, hoisted, or moving loads.
• Be aware of tubulars or equipment being lifted through the V-door.
 CONTROLS
• Be familiar with proper use, inspection, and maintenance
practices.

Before each tour inspect the:

• Wire rope and slings, Catline ropes
• and knots (do not allow a rope to lie in standing water),
• and Chains and hooks.
• Stand clear of suspended, hoisted or moving loads
• And be aware of your surroundings.
Questionnaire

• Name other Hazard associated with tubular Handling

on the Rig Location?

• How do we control such Hazards?

 Hazards

Drilling Ahead
Starting Drilling
 Hazards
• Being struck by the tongs, the make-
up chain, or pipe.
• Being caught between collars and
tongs, spinning chain, and pipe.
• Receiving strains and sprains during
lifting or controlling movement of drill
collars, bit breaker, pipe, and tongs.
• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Encountering shallow gas
 Controls

Implement an effective pipe handling, make-

up, break-out procedure:
Stand outside the tong swing radius when
breaking pipe.
Use proper tong latching techniques and use
proper hand and finger placement on tong
handles.
 Controls Continues
Stand clear of the rotary table when it is rotating.
Use a tail rope on the spinning chain to keep hands
away.
Use proper lifting technique.
Hoist slowly to limit pipe momentum.
Use mechanical lifting aids such as a rig floor
winch.
Use tail rope to guide as necessary.
Slips, trips, falls
Well control
Oilfield safety is no different than safety anywhere
else. Common sense, good judgment, and the right
equipment for the job help to ensure workers are
protected from injury. But remember the motto: No
job is so important or service so urgent that rig
operations cannot be done with a “safety first”
mindset.
Questions

Identify other Hazards you might encounter

when starting Drilling

What Controls will you put in Place.

END