WorldWide Drilling Resource

59 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MARCH 2014 Ronnie’s Real World As I sit here Sunday night (during the Super Bowl) after Jan and I returned from back - t o-back drilling events (Minnesota and Texas); Kathy returned from Oklahoma; Ed returned from Utah as well as UCT in Texas, I reflect on what we do here at WWDR . The balance of the WWDR Team made sure the March issue was on track. With only eight (8) of us, some wonder how we do it all... I will tell you how: “We understand this industry of drilling like no other publication. Most are large corporate entities with several publications under their umbrella. No one knows how the drilling contractor and manufacturers think and feel nor what they are going through on a day-to-day basis, except those who live it with them like the WWDR Team. The WorldWide Team does know, is compassionate, and understands. We do our very best to provide our Solid Gold Service ~ with a Smile™ , which makes us the Home of Solid Gold Service™ . So now we say, if you did not attend the New England Water Well seminars in February (especially Friday, 11:00 AM), you missed what just might be a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity! The WWDR Team gave their very first Seminar on Service at this Expo in Marlborough! It was an interactive one with a lot of information crammed into that short hour! Ask about it if you missed it ~ talk about it if you saw it. Let us know what you thought of it. AND...look forward to seeing it in person somewhere else! You won’t be disappointed...just another service we provide to our drilling industry. see you on the trail ... Jubilee 2013 photo taken by Ed Moranski. OSHA Wants YOUR Help Adapted from Information by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Respirable crystalline silica are very small particles, at least 100 times smaller than the sand you encounter on beaches. Those working with stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, mortar, and industrial sand who inhale the small crystalline silica par- ticles are at risk of developing silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pul- monary disease (COPD), and kidney dis- ease. This would include those who work in construction, blasting, and more recent- ly, hydraulic fracturing operations. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) currently enforces 40-year-old permissible exposure limits (PELs) for crystalline silica in general industry and construction. These PELs are based on research from the 1960s and do not reflect more recent scientific evidence. They are outdated, inconsis- tent between industries, and do not ade- quately protect worker health. Additionally, current PELs are formulas which are difficult for many employers to understand and based on a method for measuring worker exposures which have not been commonly used since the 1960s. In an effort to better protect workers and bring the rule up to the standards of the 21st century, OSHA has proposed a new rule and they are encouraging indus- try professionals and the general public to review and submit written comments about the proposal. “Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that exposure is essential. Every year, many exposed workers not only lose their ability towork, but also to breathe. This proposal is expected to prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis - an incurable and progressive disease - as well as lung cancer, other respiratory diseases, and kidney disease. Workers affected by silica are fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers lost to entirely preventable illnesses. We're looking forward to public comment on the pro- posal,” said Dr. David Michaels, assis- tant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and Health. OSHA estimates the proposed rule will save nearly 700 lives and prevent 1600 new cases of silicosis per year, once the full effects of the rule are realized. The proposed rule is the result of extensive review of scientific evidence relating to the health risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica, analysis of the diverse industries where worker ex- posure to crystalline silica occurs, and outreach efforts to affected stakeholders. OSHA carefully considered current in- dustry consensus standards on crystalline silica exposure, recommendations from small business representatives, and input from other interested parties and partner agencies in developing the proposed rule. OSHAwants your input. Public hear- ings are scheduled to begin March 18, 2014. “We strongly encourage the public to assist in the process of developing a final rule by submitting written com- ments and participating in public hear- ings,” said Dr. Michaels. “We especially hope to hear from employers, work- ers, and public health professionals who have experience in successfully protecting workers from silica-related diseases.” Silica dust cloud by a worker delivering sand from sand mover to transfer belt. Dealmakers This unmounted 2002 Smeal 6T was sold to Kent Mallory of T & M Wellworks, LLC located in Topping, Virginia, by Higgins Rig Company located in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Higgins Rig Company Send your deals to: promotions@ worldwidedrillingresource.com