Drilling Track: Rigs, Well Control and Geothermal · Module 3 of 4 · about 15 min
Staying alive on the floor
Drilling is dangerous work. NIOSH reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for oil and gas extraction workers, ahead of the hazards on the rig itself. Long drives to remote sites after long shifts are a real risk, so fatigue management matters as much as anything on the floor.
On the rig, the biggest killers are struck-by and caught-between: swinging pipe, tongs, chains and cathead lines, and pinch points around the rotary. Falls from the mast and the floor are next. Hands stay off pipe while it moves, everyone uses tag lines, and the derrickhand ties off with fall protection.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas found in some formations. It smells like rotten eggs at low levels, but at higher levels it knocks out your sense of smell, so you cannot rely on your nose. NIOSH lists 100 ppm as immediately dangerous to life or health. Sour sites use fixed and personal monitors, wind socks, briefing areas and SCBA, and everyone knows which way to go when the alarm sounds: upwind or crosswind.
Stop-work authority means anyone can halt a job they think is unsafe. Good crews use it and back each other up when they do.
Sources
- NIOSH: Oil and Gas Extraction safety
- OSHA: Hydrogen Sulfide
- OSHA: Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool
Module quiz
5 questions, 4 correct to pass. You'll see what you missed and why, and you can retake it.