This document provides an overview of oil field drill rig safety. It defines key safety terms and identifies common hazards like catheads, poor machine guarding, rotary tables, and high pressure hoses. It emphasizes that over 90% of accidents are preventable through safe acts and conditions. Pictures showcase proper safety procedures and identify unsafe acts like working without fall protection or near unguarded machines. The goal is to educate oil field workers on hazards and safety best practices to prevent accidents.

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Oil Field Drill Rig Safety
Excerpt from Bill Luther’s, APS-FSRSlideshow
www.txoga.org/attachments/OilFieldSafetyNEO1.ppt

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Unsafe Act
or
Unsafe Condition

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REMEMBER………………………..
No job is so important and No
service is so urgent – that we
cannot take time to perform our
work safely.

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This orientation is to
help acquaint those
personnel with
oilfield safety rules,
regulations and/or
procedures.
This orientation is NOT
certification.

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More than 90 % of all accidents are avoidable, being caused
by human error rather than by mechanical failure.
It is extremely important that every person on a drilling rig
develop a sense of safety in drilling operations.
That person must use this sense in combination with the kind of
good judgment it takes to drive a car safely, or to do anything
else in a safe manner.

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Vocabulary
Listing of select vocabulary words
 ANSI – American National Standards Institute.
 Approved – Sanctioned, endorsed, accredited,
certified, or accepted by a duly constituted and
recognized authority or agency.
 Authorized Person – A person approved or
assigned by the employer to perform a specific
type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location
or locations at the job site.

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Vocabulary – cont’d
 Competent Person – One who is capable
of identifying existing and predictable
hazards in the surround or working
conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous,
or dangerous to employers and who has
authorization to take prompt corrective
measures to eliminate them, or who can
recommend directly to persons in authority
that such corrective measures be taken.

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Vocabulary – cont’d
 Guarded – Covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed, or
otherwise protected by means of suitable covers,
or casings, barrier rails, safety bars, or screens to
eliminate the possibility of accidental contact with,
or dangerous approach by persons or objects.
 Hazard – Any occupational condition or
circumstance which is likely to cause death, injury
or illness.

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Vocabulary – cont’d
 Hazardous Substance – one by reason of being
explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive,
oxidizing, irritating, or otherwise harmful, is likely
to cause occupational death, injury or illness.
 Qualified–one who by possession of a recognize
degree certificate, or professional standing, or who
by extensive knowledge, training and experience
has successfully demonstrated ability to solve or
resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the
work, or the project.

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Vocabulary – cont’d
 Should – means recommended.
 Suitable – that which fits, and has the
qualities or qualifications to meet a given
purpose, occasion, condition, function or
circumstance.
 Supervisor – person who has been given
control, direction and/or supervision of
work provided by one or more employees.

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Vocabulary – cont’d
 Variance – an exception to a promulgated
standard, rule or regulation granted by the
Department of Labor, or appropriate agency.
 Well Servicing – any action or work other than the
original drilling of the well, related, but not
limited to the completion, re-completion, down
hold maintenance, or termination of the well.

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Oil Company/Operator – Has control of the casing and the
mud program being followed drilling the well.
Drilling Contractor – Head of drilling operation. Determines
the overall safety practices/policies and the manner in which a
safety program is carried out by the various supervisors.
Drilling Superintendent – Represents top management of the
drilling contractor. Supervises the operations of several rigs in
the area.
Tool pusher – Directly responsible to the drilling superintendent
for carrying out work assigned to the rig. Supervise all
personnel, ensures machinery is in a safe operating condition.
Investigates each accident or injury to determine its cause.

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Driller – Works directly under the tool pusher. Responsible for
work of the crew and operation of the rig. The driller sets the pump
speed and pressure, operates the draw works and rotary and
manipulates the controls to operate the rotary and drill stem to make
hole.
Crew Members – Must work for safety as a team! Must know
his/her job and stay constantly alert to what is going on. Use PPE.
Use proper tools. Learn to foresee and prevent accidents. Use stairs
and ladders as intended.

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A Sampling of OSHA
Violations & Standards Cited
1. Employee riding the traveling blocks – 5(a)(1)
2. No geronimo line from monkey board – 5 (a)(1)
3. Floor holes in rig floor/crown walk around-1910.23(a)
4. Safety goggles not clean and in good repair-1910.133
5. Break Out Tongs – wire clips had U-bolt on live end of line. 5(a)(1)
6. Kelly hose not secured with chains 5(a)(1)
7. V-Door opening not guarded-1910.23

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UNIQUE HAZARDS TO THE
OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
Catheads
Poor Machine Guarding
Rotary Tables
High Pressure Hoses
Gases
Falls
Slipping Tripping

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New Mexico based land
drilling rig.
If you are the derrick man
and weather like this is
approaching, what do you
do?

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Cathead = Pinch Point

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TONGS – SPINNING CHAIN
Cut off fingers, thumbs
Smashed fingers, hands etc
TEAM WORK !!
Be a Team,
Work Together
Watch out for each other

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Can you find the hazard(s)?
1
2
3
4

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Look Familiar ??

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What problems do
you see with these
pictures ?

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What is really the
HAZARD ????

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Rotary Guard

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IT’S THE LAW !
In the State of Texas, all persons working in the oil field where
H2S concentrations are known MUST complete a H2S
certification course annually.
The objective is to educate employees about the physical &
chemical properties, toxicity, concentration levels, personal
protective equipment use, detection measures, rescue and first
aid.
The best way way to reduce the chance of employee exposure to
H2S is to provided the best possible training, provide appropriate
personal protective equipment, and ensure employs follow the
correct work procedures, rules and requirements.

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COMMON SOURCES OF
H2S
Naturally in nature
Oil Fields – Mines – Volcanoes –Geothermal Exploration
Through decay of organic matter
Fishing industry – Tanneries - Manure Processing
Municipal sewers - Brewery Industry – Landfills
Chemical Processes
By Product – Catalyst – Felt Making – Asphalt Roofing

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H2S or Toxic Gas Exposure
Hydrogen Sulfide – characterized by an odor
of rotten eggs. A very small concentration
can be fatal. When encountered, employees must wear
approved type masks when their work requires them to be
exposed to the gas,in any way.

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H2S or Toxic Gas Exposure
Hydrogen Sulfide is highly toxic, colorless, and heavier
than air. It has the odor of rotten eggs, initially.
Most frequently encountered in the production and refining of high sulfur
petroleum and in natural gas. It burns with a blue flame and produces Sulfur
Dioxide.
It forms an explosive mixture with air. The LFL is 4.3%
and the UFL is 45.5%.

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H2S or Toxic Gas Exposure
Its odor is NOT a reliable warning signal because
higher concentrations of the gas temporarily
destroys the sense of smell. This is the primary
reason for employees not detecting the presence
of H2S and consequently inhaling a lethal
amount. The only positive means is by testing
with an approved H2S detector. DO NOT RELY
SOLELY ON THE SENSE OF SMELL!

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What is he standing on?
Why?
Is he tied off?
What do you think would
happen if he falls??

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Racking Pipe – Strains-Sprains, Caught Between etc….

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Ready to set the slips.
Note: 3-people/3-handles
Always set and remove
with three (3) people to
avoid back strain.

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Stabbing a joint, prior to
make-up. Note spinning
chain, position of arm and
hand ??

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This happens on a
daily basis.

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Summary
 Oilfield Safety is no different than Safety
anywhere else. Different tools, different
equipment, but the same COMMOM SENSE
principles.
 Look for Hazards, protect you and your co-
worker. Remember, Identify the Hazard,
Develop a plan to fix it and then Fix it!
Fix Your Hazards = No Accidents
 Get everyone interested. Its for you good and
theirs.