HSE IN DRILLING OPERATIONS

Introduction
Items being lifted or mechanically handled have the potential to cause serious
injury. This has been seen in the last few years where a number of fatalities and
serious accidents have occurred during lifting and mechanical handling operations.
As a result of this, there is a strong desire within the oil and gas industry to improve
the safety performance of such operations

Throughout all phases of any drilling or workover operation the RIG

OPERATOR will be held accountable for the prevention of accidental losses,
the protection of COMPANY interests and resources, and the avoidance of
any contamination of the environment.
It is the responsibility of both the owner of such equipment and the
operator to constantly take a proactive approach to ensuring that unsafe
conditions do not exist. It is the responsibility of owners and operators to
immediately correct all hazards when brought to their attention.
It is the responsibility of owners and operators to ensure that drilling
equipment be used for the purpose for which it is intended, and that
tolerances and limitations of the equipment not be exceeded. It is the
responsibility of owners and operators of drilling equipment to stay in strict
compliance with all local, state and federal regulations, governing any and all
aspects of drilling operations or any related activities. This also applies to
regulations set forth in any country where working owners and operators also
carry the responsibility to properly train employees in safe operating
procedures, and to make sure that such procedures are strictly enforced.

Supervisors Responsibility
Drilling Supervisors are responsible for insuring that day-to-day safety is
maintained at all times during the drilling operation. The supervisor, foreman
or driller must have first-hand knowledge of the entire drilling process.
Likewise, he or she must be aware of and ensure that drilling equipment be
used properly and that tolerances and limitations not be exceeded.
The bottom line is, that safety is everyones responsibility! No job is
so important nor is any task so difficult that it cannot or should not
be performed safely!

Take time to set the rig up properly!

Prior to lowering the offshore rig leveling jacks, It recommend that a timber
or plank be placed beneath the jack. By performing this function, it will be

less likely that the jacks will sink into the ground." Even on asphalt, jacks
could possibly, over time, sink down to the point that the rig might not
remain level.
Insure that the rig is level and everything is secured PRIOR to raising the
mast. NEVER, under any circumstance, move the rig while the mast
is raised! Also, make sure that nothing is loose on the mast that would fall
when the mast is raised to its upright position. Once the mast is raised, take
measures to secure it properly.

Organize the work area PRIOR to commencing

drilling operations.
Many times it is tempting to commence drilling before everything is
unloaded and organized. This practice should be avoided. Drilling will
progress more smoothly and accidents will be less likely if the driller takes
the time to properly set up and organize first.

Perform a pre-shift safety inspection prior to

commencing operations.
As described earlier, it is essential that a complete inspection be performed
prior to commencing the actual drilling process. Be sure to check all shutdown devices at this time. Take great care to insure that the infra-red
system is in proper alignment, clean and working properly. Work should
never commence if any of these, or other safety features are inoperative!
Never disable or bypass any shut down device!
Never operate the Rotary Table unless all guards are in Place and
properly secured!

Constantly observe safe work practices during the

drilling operation.
As the owner or operator, it is your responsibility to make sure that all
workers are experienced and properly trained. Initially, new employees
should be constantly observed to be sure that they are performing their
tasks safely.
During the drilling process some of the safe practices that should be
observed and corrected if found to be deficient are:

Ensure that workers are wearing snug-fit clothing.

Ensure that all workers are wearing personal protective equipment.

Ensure that workers are never positioning themselves in a situation

where they may contact rotating or moving parts.
If using a cathead in the operation, ensure that the driller is completely
familiar with its operation. Inspect the cathead to be sure that it is
clean and free of burrs etc. Inspect the rope to be sure that it is in good
condition. Finally, the operator must know the proper and safe
technique for operating the cathead. Among the many safety
requirements for operating a cathead is that the operator must make
sure that he or she stands a safe distance from the cathead drum, and
great care must be taken to ensure that the operator does not become
entangled in the rope.
Ensure that the driller and helper are communicating with each other.
This is a critical part of our business. Drillers often prefer to work
with the same helper from job to job because they have learned how
to communicate with him or her. Many accidents are caused when the
driller and helper fail to properly communicate their actions and
movements to the other person. This concept should be taken very
seriously and the owner/operator of the equipment must support and
encourage effective communication between employees.
Make sure that the equipment is completely shut down prior to fueling,
servicing, repairing or performing any other maintenance task on the
drilling equipment.

Mechanical Handling Operations and Crane

Operations
Mechanical Handling Operations are those activities which involve the
movement of a load using work equipment. This work equipment can be that
which is either manually operated or power operated. When a Mechanical
Handling Operation requires a load to be raised or lowered then the required
work equipment becomes lifting equipment and the activity can be
considered to be a lifting operation. Examples of mechanical handling
equipment which is not lifting equipment would be a wheeled trolley used to
move a load or a tirfor used to pull a load on level ground. However if such
equipment is used to move a load up or down an incline then this would
become a lifting operation.

The Competent Person for Planning Lifting

Operations
The Competent Person is someone who has the required level of competency
to be able to produce written plans for the undertaking of lifting operations

and be able to check and authorize plans that have been written by others.
He must have the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to plan lifting
operations, undertake risk assessments and conduct toolbox talks. The
Competent Person may or may not supervise the lifting operation but he is
the focal point for all the technical aspects associated with lifting operations
and lifting equipment. He must know his own competency limitations and
know when additional technical support is required and from where this can
be obtained.

Selection of Lifting Equipment

The Competent Person will have identified the appropriate lifting equipment
and accessories required. It is essential that the equipment being used is
certified, fit-for-purpose and visually checked for any defects etc before
being used. The Competent Person must take into consideration:
The technical specification and integrity of equipment
The place where it will be used
The conditions under which it will be used
The purpose for which it will be used
Inherent risks to health and safety as a result of its use
Ergonomic risks
Manual handling.

Lifting Slinging Requirements for Rig Site

Operations
A. Inspect sling (chain, cable and attachments) before use, as indicated by the
manufacturer. In addition, look for evidence of link stretching and the appearance of
cracks on lifting chain.
Chain and cable slings including hardware must be tagged by the manufacturer with
the proof-tested maximum weight capacity.
B. Thorough inspections of alloy steel chain slings should be done at least once a
year. Check for wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in length. Items to
check the chain and attachments for are:

Hook throat opening greater than 15%.

Hook tip bent or twisted greater than 10%.
Hook eye bent or twisted.
Cracked hook body.
Shackles with chemical, corrosion, or heat (welding on or in a fire)
damage.
Shackles deformed or incorrect pin.
Cracked or deformed master link.
Chain link wear, bent, gouged or stretching exceeding the
manufacturers specifications.
Chain (links) that may have been heated to 1000 degrees F should be
immediately removed from service.
C. Cable slings should be thoroughly inspected on a regular basis, at a
minimum of every six months. A record of inspection should be maintained.
Items that should be checked for:
Two or more broken wires at the socket end of the cable.
Ten or more broken wires in one length of lay or five or more broken
wires in one strand in one length of lay.
Cable found with kinking, crushing, un-stranding, bird caging, main
strand displacement, core protrusion or any other distortion of wire
rope structure should be removed from service immediately.
Cable with evidence of heat damage as indicated by blue or brown in
an area, weld slag on five or more clustered wires should be removed
from service.
Cable with abrasive reduction of one-third of the original diameter of
outside individual wires should be removed from service.
Hook throat opening greater than 15%.
Hook tip bent or twisted greater than 10%.
Hook eye bent or twisted.
Cracked hook body.
Cracked or deformed master link.

Shackles with chemical, corrosion, or heat(welding on or in a fire)

damage.
Shackles deformed or incorrect pin.
D. Maintain a record of the most recent month in which each sling was
thoroughly inspected.
E. Alloy chain or cable slings should be used when making overhead lifts.
One exception may be for attaching to catlines. The manufacturer should tag
such chain, cable, and hardware with permanently affixed durable
identification tag with applicable.
F. Use only alloy chain and attachments for making repairs to alloy chain
slings.
G. Ensure that hooks, rings, oblong links, pear shaped links, welded or
mechanical coupling links or other attachments have a rated capacity at
least equal to that of the alloy chain with which they are used.
H. Chain sling capacity must be reduced to that of the weakest component(s)
in the chain
I. Never exceed the safe working limit of lifting chain, cable or attachments.
J. Lift and lower loads slowly and smoothly. Avoid shock loading.
K. Know the center of gravity and angle of the lift.
L. Twisting, knotting and kinking decreases the safe working load limits. Free
all twists, knots and kinks before using.
M. Do not point-load hooks. The load should rest on the bowl of the hook.
N. Protect chain with padding when lifting sharp edged loads.
O. Use transport chains as safety chains on vehicles being towed and as tiedown chains.

Lifting Operations By Drilling Equipments

The following factors should be considered while Drilling Operations and
these precautions could be taken to avoid any accidents during lifting
operations by Rig Components

Drill Pipe / Collar Slips and Elevators

A. Rig supervisors should instruct personnel in the proper use and
maintenance of slips and elevators on the rig.
B. Slips and elevators should not be modified or welded on.
C. Keys, pins, dies, handles and bodies on all pipe and collar slips should be
checked frequently for wear or damage.
D. Rig personnel should keep their hands and feet, as well as chains, ropes,
etc., away from slip handles when rotary or top drive is in motion.
E. Slips should be properly positioned out of the way when not in use.
F. Slip handles should be used to raise and lower slips. Handles should be
grasped with palm up. Slips should NOT be kicked into the rotary bushing.
G. Using proper lifting techniques, at least two employees should pull slips.

H. Latches, latch springs, hinge pins and elevator shoulders should be

inspected periodically and maintained as necessary. These areas should be
checked for cracks and deformities.
I. Riding the elevators as a means of personnel transport should be
prohibited.
J. The elevator ear locks should be fitted with proper size steel bolts as
recommended by the manufacturer. Bolts should be checked often to ensure
tightness.
K. The elevators or bales should not be grasped in the area of the link eyes.
L. Only the elevator horns or rear handle or the elevator links (bails) at
approximately 18 up on the elevator links (bails), should be used to control
the elevator.
M. The load bearing areas of elevators and links (bails) should be inspected
for wear as per company policies and procedures developed in consideration
of the manufacturers recommendations.

Hoists (Winches / Tuggers)

A. Rig supervisors should ensure that personnel are trained in the proper use
and maintenance of hoisting devices.
B. Only those personnel, who through experience and training, are
determined by the rig supervisor to be competent should be allowed to
operate the rig floor hoist(s).
C. All hoists should be equipped with a drum guard and line guide.
D. The hoist operator should check the hoist mechanism, brake, drum guard,
and line guard to ensure proper working order prior to each lift.
E. All hoisting lines should be inspected periodically. (See 3.5 C for inspection
of lines.)
F. The hoisting line should not be in contact with any derrick member.
G. Loads lifted by the hoist and wire rope should not exceed the
manufacturers recommendation. The rated load capacity of the hoist should
be posted on or near the hoist.
H. Rig personnel should stand clear of suspended loads.
I. The hoist operator should set the drum brake anytime a load is in
suspension. The operator should not leave the hoist unattended.
J. The hoist-operating lever should return to the neutral locked position when
the operator releases it.
K. The hoist should not be used to lift personnel until the procedures laid out
in Section 19 are carried out.
L. The hoist should be equipped with an emergency shut-off valve within
easy reach of the operator.
M. The hoist operator should raise the load at a slow, steady rate and stay
alert to the situation and flagman at all times.
N. Continuous communications should be maintained either through direct
sight, through a flagman or via two-way radio. Should communications fail,

the operation should be stopped immediately and not resumed until

communications has been re-established.

Drilling Line, Crown Block and Traveling Block

A. Rig supervisors should ensure that personnel are instructed in the proper
use and maintenance of drilling line crown block and traveling block.
Derrickmen should never touch the active line while traveling blocks are
moving.
B. Drilling lines should be visually inspected daily for wear and breaks.
C. The drilling line should not be allowed to rub against other objects that
may cause damage.
D. Drilling line is stiff and can flip when being cut. Employees should use
caution when handling the drill line.
E. The deadline anchor bolts should be checked periodically to ensure that
they are properly torqued. In addition, all the drilling line retainer bolts
should be in good condition and in place through the anchor drum.
F. All excess drilling line should be spooled up off the ground or deck.
G. Crown sheaves and traveling block should be inspected and lubricated
each day.
H. The crown block and traveling block sheave grooves should be checked
periodically for proper gauge.
I. A slip-and cut-program should be followed. Calculate the ton-miles and
follow the slip-andcut program as recommended by the drilling line
manufacturer.
J. The line guide cable and rollers should be inspected each tour to determine
their condition.

Tips to improve safety of rigging, lifting

operations

The planning of a lifting operation must always be completed to ensure

that all the hazards and risks have been identified and the relevant
safe systems of work employed. T he level of planning should reflect
the complexity of the task. The lifting operation must also be
appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
Personnel should have the adequate practical and theoretical
knowledge and experience to plan the lifting operation. They should
identify the resources required, the procedures to be followed, stipulate
personnel responsibilities and include safety precautions
Competence can only be achieved and recorded through training,
experience and assessment . Lifting operations must only be carried
out by competent personnel. It is essential that a competent person
engaged in this work must be aware of current regulations, best

industry practices and their own company procedures or safe systems

of work.
Operators using man-riding winches must be adequately trained and
aware of the safe systems of work and procedures needed . W inches
must be fitted with independent brakes on the hoist winch drum,
overload / over-hoist protection systems, an increased factor of safety
and a means to lower personnel safely, in case of power failure
When slinging tubulars, each lift must be lifted level and slung using 2
slings of the same length and the same safe working load. The safe
working load of each sling shall be equal to or greater than the gross
weight of the load.
Slings should be double-wrapped and choke approximately 25% in
from the ends of the load with a maximum angle, of the 2 slings, no
greater than 45 from the horizontal. When applying the double wrap
and choke, personnel must never push down the bite of the choke and
be aware not to cross the slings on the underside of the bundle.
When personnel are required to fit taglines, they must always do so in
accordance with company procedures. A tagline is a soft line used to
aid in the control of the load. When used correctly, they enable
personnel to safely position themselves away from the load. However,
they do have a tendency to draw personnel underneath the load, when
the tagline is first used. Many accidents are caused when the tagline is
attached to the lifting equipment. It is unfortunately human nature for
the handler to attach the tagline to sling, instead of applying that little
bit of extra effort required to attach it correctly to the load.

Lifting and handling incidents

The following accidents/incidents take place at Total E&P from May 2009
until April 2010, 35 lifting and handling incidents with potential severity
ranging from 4 to 5 have been recorded in the Synergi data base (the cases
related to the direct use of specific drilling equipments such as elevators,
hoists, tongs, TDS, etc are excluded from this figure).

Crane Failure
A rig crane boom fell down due to the failure of the main gear. Due to lack of
inspection & maintenance.

 Lifting of Drill Pipe

During the lifting of a 5 drill pipe bundle from the rig deck, the tag line made a
loop around roustabout right ankle; the roustabout hung up, his back and head
hitting the tubing rack (restricted workdaycase).

 Load Fall On To The Deck

Whilst moving a bundle of completion screens, the rupture of a nylon sling caused
the load to fall onto the deck.