When working offshore on either drilling rigs, production platforms, jack-up rigs, or semi-submersible rigs, workers are faced with many different factors that increase their exposure to injury. This exposure increases even more during travel to and from offshore rigs. It is important that employees be alert to potentially dangerous circumstances, and take precautions that will lessen their risk of injury. Some of these potentially dangerous hazards are:

Poor Weather Conditions - Unlike many other jobs, weather conditions directly effect the safety of offshore work. Wet, rainy weather may cause a construction company to halt a project, but not offshore operations. Work must go on! Everyone must adapt to weather conditions and continue with normal procedures. And, when you're in the middle of the ocean on a multilevel platform with limited space, both weather and work can become dangerous:

The surface of most offshore rigs is metal grating, which can become slippery when wet. High winds and driving rain can also reduce a worker's visibility and balance when working out of doors, leading to trip and fall injuries.

Limited Space/Confined Work Quarters - Limited work space frequently increases exposure to accidents. Under these circumstances, equipment, machinery, and other workers create a potential for bumps, bruises and contusions, and striking injuries to the body. Four or five different contractors may be working on a rig at the same time. Everyone must be aware of other crew members and avoid doing anything that will cause injury to others. For example, cooks in restaurants usually have adequate room to operate, but offshore galleys are often very confined. To avoid accidents, cooks and galley hands must be cautious when working with knives, heat and flame in these "tight" quarters.

Fatigue Factor - For most people in the workforce, a normal week is forty hours. Not offshore! These workers may put in more than eighty hours during one week. With twelve hour workdays, fatigue is inevitable and the potential for accidents and injuries increases. A sufficient amount of sleep (at least eight hours for most people) is required for a person's body to rest and recuperate. During rest breaks, workers should also replenish their system with lost fluids.

Potential for Violence in the Workplace - Most employees spend only about eight hours a day with co-workers. Not offshore personnel! They not only work twelve hours with other employees but also eat, sleep, and relax in close quarters with these same employees, regardless of their degree of friendship. Too much "togetherness" can lead to tension, disagreement and personality conflicts between people. For everyone's sake, there should be no tolerance for fighting or violence in offshore work environments--and all employees must be made aware of this.

All employees must stay alert! The items just mentioned only scratch the surface of the many exposures to injury during offshore operations. Others hazards include blowouts, fires, hazardous chemicals and gases, and piping pinch points. New employees may not appreciate the potential dangers of this environment. Experienced workers may take this jobsite for granted and become careless. All employees need to be educated and trained to consistently work with care and caution. Working with caution doesn't mean slower production, it just means safer production!

OILFIELD OPERATIONS - RIGGING UP

Performing maintenance, or preparing to commence drilling or workovers, is a prime time for accidents to happen. The following safety tips should be observed when rigging up a workover or drilling rig.

1. Once the substructure is positioned, be sure the engines are arranged so that the mufflers and exhaust can be directed away from the rig floor. It is important to understand the direction of the prevailing winds, so as not to create a breathing hazard.
2. While complete guarding is not possible at all times during rigging up, keep open floor holes covered when not in use. Hand rails should be installed as soon as possible.
3. The traveling block should be strung while on the derrick floor.
4. Where required, only high pressure fittings in good condition should be used. Relief lines should be exhausted over the mud pits. Always secure mud lines and jets in a manner that will eliminate whipping due to high pressure surges.
5. Make sure that lighting is adequate. This is necessary wherever people will be working on the rig floor and in the derrick.
6. Before anyone is positioned in the derrick, an emergency escape line needs to be provided. The line should be fastened to the girt just above the working platform and should be anchored about twice as far from the rig base as the distance from the ground to the monkey board. The escape trolly should be of sufficient strength and have a braking device.
7. Be sure to keep walkways free of skids and other items which may cause a trip and fall exposure.
8. While rigging up, inspect all chains, hooks and cables before using. If the equipment appears worn or frayed, inform the driller or tool pusher so that it can be repaired or replaced.
9. At all times, avoid working or walking beneath a suspended load.
10. Avoid shortcuts, such as riding the blocks. At all times, access to the derrick should be by way of the ladder, with the employee secured by a harness or safety belt and the lanyard attached to the derrick climber assist.

These are but a few of the common sense rules that must be followed when working around drilling and workover rigs.
Most of all, supervisors and seasoned hands need to watch out for the inexperienced roustabout or floorhand. This individual is new to the oil patch and will be heavily dependent upon other members of the crew for guidance.

References:

OSHA Oil and Gas Well Drilling e-Tool (developed for on shore operations but similar hazards can apply)

OSHA Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Guidance

The following standards relate directly to the maritime industry.
> 1915, Shipyard Employment
> 1917, Marine Terminal
> 1918, Longshoring
> 1919, Gear Certification Note: 1910, General Industry Standards may also apply.

US Coast Guard

Training Roster