Worker safety awareness is necessary for injury prevention during all phases of drilling operations. Procedures and processes will include safety meetings, JSAs, and general and task-specific training. At the end of each section, resources are identified which provide more details for establishing safe work practices and procedures.

Rigging Up

Rigging up is placing and assembling the various parts of equipment that make up the rig, and preparing the rig for drilling. Potential hazards and solutions are identified.

Drilling Ahead

Drilling ahead means the actual drilling of the well.

Tripping Out and In

Tripping refers to the process of removing and/or replacing pipe from the well when it is necessary to change the bit or other piece of the drill string, or when preparing to run certain tests in the well bore.

Casing Operation

Casing is pipe usually larger in diameter and longer than drill pipe and is used to line the hole. Casing operations occur periodically throughout the drilling process starting with the surface casing, intermediate casing, and ending with production string which takes place during well completion.

Maintenance Activities

Proper maintenance prevents premature equipment failure, which may cause injuries or fatalities. Drilling equipment is subjected to stress and vibration during operations. Maintenance is a necessary and ongoing activity on the drilling site.

Well Control

Properly trained personnel are essential for well control activities. Well control consists of two basic components: an active component consisting of drilling fluid pressure monitoring activities, and a passive component consisting of the Blowout Preventers.

Also see the General Safety and Health section and the following related safety and health topics pages: Powered Industrial Trucks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and Ergonomics.

NOTE: This eTool describes potential hazards commonly found on a wide variety of drilling rigs. Specific rig designs may have unique potential hazards which should also be addressed in the site Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Process.