WorldWide Drilling Resource

Safety Spotlight: Rig Electrical Safety by Scott Cosby The topic of this month’s article is rig electrical safety. The drive (or motor) is one of the primary systems of a drill rig. Most drill rig electrical problems will normally be solved and fixed by a professional in a garage environment, but there are situations which come up in the field when the drill crew may discover and have to fix a problem to continue operations. In this article, we’ll examine electrical safety guidelines and the best tool to use to discover rig electrical problems. The following are some guidelines involving electrical safety based on the National Fire ProtectionAssociation’s NFPA 70E and OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) guidelines: a Above all, never assume the equipment or system is de-energized. Remember to always Test Before You Touch . a understand the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and the hazards involved. a Identify all possible energy sources which could pose a hazard. a Know electrical safety requirements and follow them. a Have a clear working area and remove any covers to electrical components. a Select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Remember, PPE must be worn until the electrical system is in a safe condition. a Before working on or around electrical systems or equipment, identify the power and disconnect. a Make sure testing equipment is working, both before and after using it. a If the testing becomes more hazardous than anticipated, stop and contact a professional. When a motor fails, it is often difficult to see why it failed just by looking at it. First, check all connections for any damaged wiring or connections visually, and then with a multimeter. Amultimeter is commonly referred to as a voltmeter, and is a very handy tool to determine voltage and resistance. Multimeters can be incredibly expensive and also incredibly cheap, depending on if it’s a digital or analog display. Most multimeters will include extensive manuals on how to use them. Consult search engines for more information. Electrical hazards on the job can be avoided by following approved NFPA 70E and OSHA guidelines. Additionally, consult your rig manufacturer on the rig’s power and motor system. Be sure to provide in-house training on this subject to all drill operators and crews to maintain personnel and equipment safety. Scott Scott Cosby may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com ! " # ! 24 MARCH 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®