WorldWide Drilling Resource

27 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® DECEMBER 2013 Environmental Monitoring by Thomas Kwader, Ph.D., P.G. An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure As I approach 40 years of working in the field as a geologist, much of which was spent behind many different drilling rigs and crews, there are a few things I have learned about health and safety issues I thought I would pass on. k Wear more sunscreen, hats, and long sleeve shirts to prevent too much sun! It will save you later in dermatology bills and possibly removing some skin you wish you had protected. k Baggy clothing, long hair, and loose ropes and cables do not mix well with rotating parts on a drilling rig. It only takes a second to have something pulled into a rotating part, often with dire con- sequences. All rigs should be equipped with emergency engine cutoff switches, and everyone should know how to engage them.Also, do not drill alone or load casing, drill rods, etc. by yourself. Always have a second person present for safety. k Wear your hard hat when you have materials overhead. Check for loose nuts and bolts and excessive wear on pulleys and sprockets. Even a small nut or bolt falling from 20 feet can kill you if it hits in the right spot. k Don’t jump off rigs or trucks. You may think it will be okay, but your joints are not meant to take the pounding. Also, try to avoid lifting anything more than 40 pounds. Your back usually dete- riorates faster than your ego and com- mon sense. You will need a good back later on in life. k “I think it will be okay” is not good reasoning when it comes to working near overhead or buried power lines. Take the extra time to locate and mark all utilities and stay safe distances away. k If you observe someone about to do something unsafe, stop them and help, or instruct them to conduct the task in a different, safer manner. Ask yourself: What am I about to do? What can go wrong? How can I make it safer? Remember, there are old drillers and bold drillers, but there are no old bold drillers. Tom Tom Kwader may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Focus on Oklahoma Ground Water Association It’s time again for the annual 2014 Oklahoma Ground Water Association (OGWA) Conference and Trade Show at the Embassy Suites/Norman Hotel & Conference Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Get ready for a great time visiting with friends and looking over the fantastic displays of products and services from industry leaders. Be sure to take advan- tage of the event’s continuing education opportunities. Take time to place your bid on silent auction items and if you’d like to donate - all the better. Don’t leave until you join in on the great luncheon! Join WWDR January 15-16, for this entertaining and informative event! For more information, or to register, call Rachel Figueroa at 405-205-5713 or visit www.okgroundwater.org Jerry Hatley was on hand for Cotey Chemical Corp. at the 2013 OGWA event. WWDR photo.