WorldWide Drilling Resource

Environmental Monitoring by Thomas Kwader, Ph.D., P.G. Rig Safety - Everyone’s Responsibility There are many types of drilling rigs and many different environments and locations where rigs drill. A rig may be located 50 miles from the nearest town, or be drilling on a busy city street corner, surrounded by traffic and pedestrians. In some settings, it may not be as critical to barricade the work zone perimeter such as in a remote area, on the “back forty”, or in a fenced industrial plant. However, we should never “skimp” on safety. Instead, use an abundance of safety. Many jobs may even require a full-time safety officer to oversee the safety of the rig by keeping pedestrians away, watching the weather, and conducting safety checks, handing out safety equipment, etc. We need to all be onboard the safety train. Don’t assume everyone has good common sense. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at the rotary table or a rig and had a senior citizen pushing me out of the way so they can look down the hole - while drilling in a shopping center parking lot. Although most folks will comply with the yellow caution tape, an electrified wire will not slow some curious people from entering a work zone. Most drilling jobs have different levels of safety requirements. The “hot” zone should only include the drill operator and tool pusher, and possibly a rig hand. Hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, leather gloves, and steel toe shoes are a must! The next zone is still for the drilling team only and should be taped off and everyone excluded from visiting, as well. Visitors must watch from a distance and not be allowed to approach the work zones. Hearing protection and vapor masks also may be required. Safety is mostly common sense, and must trump all other activities, not to mention an injury can shut a job down for hours or days depending upon the severity. Every accident is preventable, make safety a priority. Tom Tom Kwader may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Every acc dent s preventab e, make safety a pr or ty. 60 APRIL 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Hallo Marcel, vielen Dank für das tolle Foto. Bis im April zur BAUMA. Viele Grüße Claudia Schaue Leitung Marketing translation from German: Hello Marcel, Many thanks for the great photo. See you in April at bauma. Many greetings