Figure 2. Setting slips

The floor crew sets slips around the drill stem.

Potential Hazards:

• Getting fingers or other body parts pinched between slips or slip handles and rotary table.
• Receiving muscle strain from improper lifting technique.

Possible Solutions:

• Use proper hand placement when setting slips.
• Use proper stance and slip lifting techniques. Slips have three handles and should be lifted jointly by more than one person.

Additional Information:

• Drilling Technology Series. Petroleum Extension Service (PETEX), University of Texas at Austin.
  • Unit I: The Rig and Its Maintenance
  • Unit II: Normal Drilling Operations
  • Unit III: Non-routine Operations
  • Unit IV: Man Management and Rig Management
• Accident Prevention Guide. International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC).
• RP 54, Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations. American Petroleum Institute (API), (2007, March). Includes procedures for promotion and maintenance of safe working conditions for employees engaged in rotary drilling operations and well servicing operations, including special services. Applies to rotary drilling rigs, well servicing rigs, and special services as they relate to operations on locations.

Figure 3. Kelly set into rathole

Breakout the kelly and set it into the rathole.

Potential Hazards:

• Release of excess drilling mud resulting in skin contact, loss of footing, etc.

Possible Solutions:

• Shut down the mud pumps before breaking out the kelly.
• Close the mud saver valve on the kelly (if present).
• Use a mud bucket to divert flow of excess mud.

Potential Hazards:

• Being struck by the slip handles if the rotary table is used to spin the drill string.

Possible Solutions:

• Stand clear of the rotary table when it is rotating.
• Consider other technologies (such as a pipe spinner, kelly spinner, or top drive unit) to eliminate this hazard.

Potential Hazards:

• Being struck by the kelly if the pullback line unhooks when kelly is being pulled toward the rathole.

Possible Solutions:

• Implement an effective pullback line attachment procedure.
• Ensure workers stand in a safe location away from the pullback line and rathole during this pullback operation.

Figure 4. Red elevator links

The crew attaches elevators to the elevator links.

Potential Hazards:

• Being pinched by the elevator links while attaching elevators (or attaching elevator links to the hook).
• Being struck by the elevators.
• Receiving strains and sprains.

Possible Solutions:

• Use proper hand placement when attaching elevator links.
• Ensure workers stand away from swing-path of the elevators and elevator links.
• Use lifting equipment and limit manual positioning of elevators.
• Use proper mounting procedures.

Figure 5. Elevators latched onto the pipe

The floor crew latches the elevators onto the pipe.

Potential Hazards:

• Getting hands or fingers pinched in elevators.
• Being struck by elevators not securely latched.
• Getting hands or fingers caught between elevators and stump.

Possible Solutions:

• Ensure workers are instructed in proper latching procedure, including the use of handles on elevators as they are descending into place over the stump or tool joint.
• Inspect and maintain elevators.

Additional Information:

• RP 8B, Inspection, Maintenance, Repair, and Remanufacture of Hoisting Equipment. American Petroleum Institute (API), (2005, April). Covers such items as crown-block sheaves and bearings, drilling hooks, elevator links, rotary swivels, dead-line tie-down/wireline anchors, and safety clamps. This edition of API RP 8B is an identical adoption of ISO 13534:2000.

Figure 6. Climbing assist device and personal protective equipment

Figure 7. Derrickman on monkeyboard

Figure 8. Handling pipe from monkeyboard

The derrickman climbs up the derrick to the monkeyboard. From here he unlatches the elevators and guides the stands of pipe into the fingerboard. The elevators are then lowered and attached to the next stand of pipe.

Potential Hazards:

• Falling while climbing up or down the ladder.
• Falling from monkeyboard or fingerboard.
• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Falling during an emergency descent.

Possible Solutions:

• Use climb assist device.
• Wear appropriate fall protection including a full body harness. For Fall Protection guidance, consult:
  • 29 CFR 1910.28, Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection.
  • 29 CFR 1910.66 App (C), Fall Protection guidelines.
  • 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D, Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as:
  • Hard hat
  • Work gloves
  • Safety-toed footwear
• Practice 100% tie-off while working in the derrick.
• Use slip-resistant coatings or materials on working surfaces.
• Train personnel in use of emergency escape device.

Potential Hazards:

• Being caught between pipe and other objects.
• Receiving strains and sprains.

Possible Solutions:

• Practice proper hand placement and use of pullback (tail) ropes.

Potential Hazards:

• Being struck by dropped objects.

Possible Solutions:

• Implement a dropped objects program, such as tie-off for all tools.
• Use extra caution while personnel are working overhead.
• Do not carry tools while climbing the derrick ladder. Raise tools with a line to any worker above the derrick floor.

Additional Information:

• Fall Protection
  • Z359.1. American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
  • Construction. OSHA eTool.
    • Personal Fall Arrest Systems. (Please recognize that there is a weight limit, including equipment.)
  • Fall Protection Guidance. International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC).

Figure 11. Crew maneuvers stand into racking area

The stand is raised and maneuvered to the pipe racking area.

Potential Hazards:

• Getting hands and fingers pinched between stands of pipe.
• Getting feet or toes crushed or amputated under a stand of pipe.
• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Receiving strains and sprains.

Possible Solutions:

• Keep hands and fingers from between pipe stands.
• Position feet away from the bottom of the pipe stands.
• See General Safety and Health.

Figure 12. Derrickman latching elevators onto the pipe

The derrickman latches the elevators onto the pipe from the monkeyboard.

Potential Hazards:

• Getting hands or fingers pinched in elevators.
• Being struck by elevators not securely latched.
• Getting hands or fingers caught between elevators and stump.

Possible Solutions:

• Ensure workers are instructed in proper latching procedure.
• Inspect and maintain elevators.