General Safety – Do You?

Ladder and Step Safety

Make sure that ladders are bolted to the derrick and all bolts and rungs in the ladder are periodically checked for tightness.
When climbing a ladder, use a ladder safe-climbing device and always hold the outside of the ladder with hands.
Use a tool pouch or attach tools to your climbing harness to keep your hands free for climbing.
Never climb a ladder in a hurry.  Use each rung; do not skip steps.
Keep the area below the derrick ladder clear of tools and other obstructions.
When rigging up, see that all steps and handrails are secured to the derrick floor or substructure.
See that steps on the rig are level to prevent slipping.
Make sure that steps have bumper plates on the back to prevent someone from sticking a foot through the steps.
Keep all oil and grease wiped up on steps.
See that tools are kept out of walkways; keep rope and water hoses picked up.

Correct Repair and Operation of Mud Pumps

Make sure that both compound clutch and drawworks clutches are disengaged prior to any repairs on a pump.

Use “Lockout/Tagout” Procedures.

1. Turn off switches at the drawworks and tag out.
2. Turn off switches in the power house (SCR House) and lock and tag them out.
3. Always release pressure on lines before beginning work on the pump. See that everyone is well-versed in the correct repair procedure of engaging and disengaging a mud pump.
4. Never roll the pump over with power. Always roll it over by hand utilizing tools designed for this purpose.
5. Always use correct size wrenches on nuts.
6. Pull nuts down evenly and be sure they are tight before the pump is put into use.
7. Change any studs and nuts on heads that are bad.
8. When changing the shear pin, make sure the crew member is finished and the cover is in place before starting the pump.
9. Never put any type of pin in shear valve that will not shear under the proper shear pressure.
10. Never tighten packing glands while the pump is running.
11. When changing liners, have sufficient help to handle liners.
12. Never pump liners out with the air clutch.
13. Never try to lift heads off without help.
14. Before a pump is put in motion, double check to see that all men are clear and free of pump.
15. Remove Lockout/Tagout devices.

Painting and Washing Derrick

While cleaning and painting the derrick, always wear a full body harness and utilize 100% tie off at all times.
See that equipment used in the derrick is tied off to the derrick.
Use a good ladder, have the scaffold tied securely, and do not work in the derrick when the wind is high.
Never leave empty buckets in the derrick.
When using a paintbrush, be careful not to get it caught in moving parts of machinery.
Never use spray guns in closed places.
Keep spray gun air hoses away from the kelly and other rotating equipment
Never paint around a fire.
Always wear a mask and have good ventilation when painting.
Never use anything but air to operate a spray gun.
Always wear goggles when wire brushing or chipping paint.