1. HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Drilling rigs and equipment present a variety of safety hazards.
- All personnel working around drilling rigs should know the position of the emergency “kill” switch.
- Wirelines and ropes should be inspected and frayed or damaged sections discarded.
- Swivels and blocks should turn freely.
- Gauges should be operational and controls clearly marked.
- All underground utilities should be clearly marked, and drillers should be aware of any overhead hazards such as power lines. Avoid drilling in these areas.
- Ear protection should be worn when working around drilling equipment for extended periods of time, particularly air rotary equipment.
- Failure to follow safety procedures or wear the proper personal protection gear, on the part of the drilling crew or Contractor/Service Provider, may result in dismissal from the job.
- When working with potentially hazardous materials, follow the precautions as per Material Safety Data Sheet and corporate health and safety practices.
- Aware of the bad weather and lightening.
2. OTHER HAZARDS DURING DRILLING RIG OPERATIONS
2.1 SETTING UP THE SUBSTRUCTURE
Equipment(s) are unloaded and positioned at or near the exact location that it will occupy during operations. The substructure is assembled, pinned together, levelled, and made ready for other rig components on the floor. Equipping the cellar begins but can be done throughout the rigging up process. This includes welding on a drilling nipple to the conductor pipe and attaching a flow line. Potential Hazards:
- Being struck by the crane, load, truck.
- Pinched fingers when assembling equipment.
- Burns from cutting and welding on the drilling nipple.
- Temporary eye irritation from welding light flash. § Falling from heights
2.2 HAZARDS DURING SETTING UP THE RIG FLOOR AND MAST OR DERRICK
Once the substructure is set in place, the process of setting up the rig floor begins by installing stairways and guardrails to allow access to the rig floor. Then, the draw works is set in place and secured to the substructure. On mechanical rigs, the engines are set in place and the compound and associated equipment connected to the draw works. On electric rigs, the electric cables (lines) are strung to the draw works. The bottom of the mast is raised to the rig floor and pinned in place. The crown section is then raised into place on the derrick stand. The “A-legs” are raised and pinned into place.
The monkey board is pinned in place on the mast and all lines and cables are laid out to prevent tangling when the mast is raised. A thorough inspection of the mast should be made before raising the mast/derrick. The mast is now ready to be raised. The engines are started, and the drilling line is spooled onto the draw works drum. Once the mast has been raised and pinned, the remaining floor equipment can be set into place. If the rig has safety guy lines, they must be attached to the anchors and properly tensioned prior to continuing the rigging up process. A derrick emergency escape device is installed on the mast.
Potential Hazards:
- Falling or tripping during rigging up;
- Falling from rig floor.
- Being struck by swinging equipment.
- Being struck by falling tools.
- Being crushed or struck by equipment due to failure or overloading of hoisting equipment.
- Getting entangled in lines during rising of the derrick or mast;
- Failure to properly install derrick emergency escape device; etc.
2.3 HAZARD IN RIGGING UP THE CIRCULATING SYSTEM
While one crew finishes preparing the rig floor, another crew might be rigging up the circulating system. The mud tanks and mud pumps are set into the predetermined location. The mud lines are then connected, and electric cords are strung.
Potential Hazards:
- Being struck by or crushed by equipment being set into place;
- Getting caught in pinch points.
- Being struck by crane, load, truck or forklift tipping;
- Being struck by hammer when connecting mud line unions; etc.
2.4 HAZARDS DURING INSTALLING THE AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT
All remaining drilling and auxiliary equipment must be set into place and installed where needed. The catwalk and pipe racks are positioned, and the pipe and drill collars are set on the racks.
Potential Hazards:
- Getting struck or pinched by, or caught in between, tubulars being loaded onto racks.
- Having feet pinched or crushed when setting up the pipe racks and catwalk.
3.0 SAFETY SYSTEM FOR DRILLING RIGS
Operational Safety is the foremost concern while working on drilling rig. Derrick floor is the center stage of all the operations and it is most susceptible to accidents. Safety precaution with utmost care is required to be taken as per the prevailing regulation and practice so that accidents can be avoided. Due to advancement in technology, number of equipment has been developed over a period to cater the need of smooth operation on derrick floor.
Various standards are required to be referred to cover the variety of equipment used for safe operation in drilling and become cumbersome at times to refer standards for each equipment as per given hereunder.
- Twin stop safety device (crown-o-matic and floor-o-matic);
- Fall prevention device on mast ladder with safety belt;
- Emergency Escape device for top man (if applicable);
- First aid box with Stretcher and Blanket;
- Fire bell /siren;
- Emergency vehicle;
- Fire extinguishers;
- Railling with toe board;
- Guards on all moving parts;
- Safety lines for power tongs;
- Rotary brake.
- Hoisting brake lever with safety chain;
- Emergency shutoff system for draw works;
- Safety chain for inclined ramp (to prevent fall of any person);
- Safety belt for top-man with lane yard;
- Railing on staircase at mud tank/walkways and derrick floor; etc.
4.0 GENERAL SAFE PRACTICES DURING DRILLING OPERATION
- Penetration rate shall be monitored. In case of any drilling break, stop rotary table, pull out the Kelly, stop mud pump and check for self-flow;
- Different type of drill pipes should not be mixed up during making up the string.
- Protectors should be used on drill pipes while lifting and laying down the pipes on catwalk.
- Drill pipe rubber protector should be installed on drill pipes body while being used inside the casing;
- Before starting drilling, hole should be centered to avoid touching of kelly with casing / wellhead and ensure that no damage is done to well head and BOP.
- Continuous monitoring of the gain/loss of mud during.
- BOP mock drill should be carried during drilling / tripping and under mentioned operations.
- Safe Working Conditions and Practices to be Adopted During Drilling Operations; etc.
