• Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Electrical. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Fire Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Hand and Power Tools. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• H₂S Controls
  • Confined Spaces. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Pressure Vessels. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
    • Compressed Gas and Equipment. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
    • Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Hydrogen Sulfide Gas
  • Ventilation. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Respiratory protection as it relates to oil fields. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1993, April 14).
• Hot Work/Welding
• Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Motor Vehicles Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Powered Industrial Trucks - Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Eye and Face Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry. OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-050, (2011, February 10).
  • Personal Protective Equipment for General Industry. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 59:16334-16364, (1994, April 6).
  • Occupational Noise Exposure. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Respiratory Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment. OSHA Standard.
    • 29 CFR 1910.132, General requirements

There are many ways to protect from slips, trips, and falls. Even so, they still happen and the following are means to either prevent slips, trips, and falls or to minimize the consequences if they should happen.

• Wear personal protective equipment (such as hard hats, work gloves, safety shoes, and eye protection).
• Be aware of the slipping and falling hazards when working on the drilling floor, servicing rig floors or other platforms.
• Keep all work areas clean and clear of oil, tools, and debris.
• Use non-skid surfaces where appropriate.
• Provide guardrails and guards around work areas that are prone to slips, trips, and falls.
• Install, inspect, and secure stairs and handrails. [29 CFR 1926.1052]
• Instruct workers on proper procedures for using and installing ladders.
• Use only ladders in good repair that do not have missing rungs.
• Do not install stairs with missing or damaged steps. Repair them before installing them.
• Keep walkways clean and free of debris and tripping hazards. [29 CFR 1910.22]
• Keep all cords and hoses orderly and clear of walking spaces.
• Cover open cellars.
• Conduct a pre-job inspection to identify, then eliminate or correct hazardous work surfaces.
• Walking/Working Surfaces Standard requires [29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1)]: Keep all places of employment clean and in an orderly condition.
• Keep aisles and passageways clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard [29 CFR 1910.22(b)(1)]. Provide floor plugs for equipment so power cords need not run across pathways.
• Use waterproof footgear to decrease slip/fall hazards.

Additional Resources:

• 29 CFR 1910.22, General requirements (Walking/working surfaces). OSHA Standard.
• Small Business Handbook (PDF). OSHA Publication 2209, (2005).
  • Walkways
  • Floor and Wall Openings
  • Stairs and Stairways
  • Elevated Surfaces
  Fall Protection
  • Fall Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • ANSI Z359, Fall Protection Code (Version 3.0).
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.0-2012, Definitions & Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection & Fall Arrest
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007, Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems & Components
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007, Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.3-2007, Safety Requirements for Positioning & Travel Restraint Systems
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2013, Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue & Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems & Components
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.6-2009, Specifications & Design Requirements for Active Fall Protection Systems
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.12-2009, Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.13-2013, Personal Energy Absorbers & Energy-Absorbing Lanyards
    • ANSI/ASSE Z359.14-2012, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall Arrest & Rescue Systems
  • International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC)
    • Working at Height
  • American Petroleum Institute (API)
  • Standards. API.
    • RP 54, Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations.
    • RP 74, Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Onshore Oil and Gas Production Operations.
  • Construction. OSHA eTool.
    • Body Harness. (Please recognize that there is a weight limit, including equipment).
    • Webbing

General solutions for strains and sprains include:

• Use proper lifting technique.
• Hoist slowly to limit pipe momentum.
• Seek assistance when moving awkward and heavy guards and covers.
• Use proper stance and slip-lifting techniques. Slips have three handles and should be lifted jointly by more than one person.
• Use lifting equipment and limit manual positioning of elevators.
• Practice proper hand placement and use of pullback (tail) ropes.
• Use mechanical lifting aids, proper lifting techniques, and team lifting where appropriate.
• Use proper hand and body positioning.
• Ergonomics. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  • Hand Injury
  • Lifting
  • Repetitive motions

Weather conditions can create hazardous working conditions: therefore it is necessary to monitor weather conditions and forecasts to allow time to prepare for such conditions as may occur. Lightning is especially hazardous and unpredictable. When lightning is present, crews must avoid situations where they could become part of potential current paths.