Oil Rig Safety

It’s no secret that working on an oil rig can be a dangerous job. Accidents can and will happen, but enhancing your safety efforts can lessen the risk. Planning routine safety seminars will ensure that your employees are taught to do their jobs with caution. Let’s look at some the basic methods for staying safe on the job:

Slips, trips and falls

·         Keep work areas clean and clear of debris

·         Install guardrails, handrails and non-skid surfaces in particularly slippery areas

·         Do not use damaged ladders

·         Keep walkways clear of cords and hoses

Hot work and fire hazards

·         Test work areas for flammable gases before beginning (areas include fuel tanks, well heads, tank batteries, mud tanks, oil treaters, gas separators and confined spaces)

·         Stop work if gas detection exceeds 10 percent of the lower explosive level; identify and repair the leak

·         Perform hot work in a safe, ventilated location with guards to confine the heat

·         Keep fire-extinguishing equipment nearby (portable extinguishers, hose or buckets of water or sand)

General safety

·         Always wear appropriate protective gear (boots, gloves, hard hats and eye/face protection)

·         Lift objects slowly, using proper lifting technique

·         Monitor weather conditions to prepare for potential hazards, such as lightening

·         Store cylinders upright, chained to racks (separate full and empty cylinders)

·         Wear appropriate respiratory protection when working in areas with higher concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide, a toxic, flammable gas

·         Provide education covering the symptoms of exposure to various toxic chemicals/gases and methods of first-aid/treatment

Thorough safety education is the first step to protecting an oil rig and the workers there. Call Shipman Insurance at 866-515-7007 for more information on Texas oil insurance.