WorldWide Drilling Resource

www.starironworks.com 257 Caroline Street Punxsutawney, PA 15767 800-927-0560 • 814-427-2555 Fax: 814-427-5164 SERVING THE WATER WELL INDUSTRY Serving the Drilling Industry 43 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2019 Environmental Monitoring by Thomas Kwader, Ph.D., P.G. Drill Rig Safety - Minimize the Risk of Electrocution The drilling profession inherently has a number of potential hazards. Most, if not all, can be greatly reduced or totally eliminated if proper safety precautions are followed. These hazards can be placed into a number of safety categories, such as mobilization, set-up, slips and falls, falling objects, lifting, back or hand injuries, electrocution, etc. In this article, I wish to address electrocution hazards. This category can be further subdivided into electrocution by lightning, power lines (above- or belowground), power generating equipment, welding machines, and other facility energized apparatus. I would like to share some of my experiences which may help you avoid similar safety hazards. 1) Drilling near aboveground or underground power lines: The safe distance from an overhead power line varies with many factors, not the least of which is the distance between the drilling rig mast and the power line. There are guidelines available; however, I would advise you to contact the owner of the power line and ask what they recommend, based on the humidity factor, insulation of the wire, grounding of the drill rig, etc. Unless you are a certified expert, leave this recommendation to those who are! One experience I will never forget involved two drill crew members who were killed near an overhead power line close to a power substation. When their drill bit reached the water table, it formed a better ground, which caused electricity to arc through the air. 2) Buried power lines: These are becoming the norm in many areas due to aesthetic value and being less vulnerable to trees falling on them during storms. Buried power lines can be a problem on many sites because of poor historical knowl- edge and/or poor surface markings being available. Unless there is zero chance of there being buried utilities, I would recommend before drilling any hole, a subsurface survey be conducted by a licensed firm to confirm no known utilities are present in the subsurface. Even then, it is advisable to “hand dig” with post-hole diggers or “air knife” the first three feet before using drilling equipment. Keep in mind, high-voltage electrical wires can be contained in PVC conduits beneath concrete slabs. 3) Lightning: Probably the greatest electrocution hazard associated with drilling is from lightning. A drilling rig acts as an excellent lightning rod. Drilling activities should cease if lightning is seen or thunder heard within five miles. There are lightning detector cell phone apps to guide you. It is also advisable NOT to resume drilling until lightning/thunder has been “quiet” for 30 minutes after the last observed event. Tom Tom Kwader may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com ENV