Oil rigs are fraught with hazards from setting up the rig, tripping out and in, drilling ahead, and conducting casing operations and rig maintenance.
Even though drilling and servicing companies have their own safety programs, rig workers receive safety training, and safety awareness is “drilled” into every employee’s head, the potential for injury still exists.
Injuries can come from multiple sources including workers getting caught between or struck by machinery, injury that results from fire and explosions, leaks from high pressure lines and equipment, ergonomic hazards such as lifting heavy items, and electrical shock.
Add to that the fact that oil rig workers do their jobs in closely confined quarters, and often under inclement conditions such as extreme cold, high winds, and turbulent seas.
As one source put it, any time you mix 12-hour shifts with highly combustible materials on a platform covered with heavy machinery, you’re going to have some safety issues.
Not only do injuries occur on oil rigs, so do fatalities and an alarmingly high rate. In 2013, NPR reported that the fatality rate among oil and gas workers is now nearly “eight times higher than the all-industry rate of 3.2 deaths for every 100,000 workers.”
Also in 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report saying oil and gas extraction deaths hit the highest level in 2012 since the government began compiling that data in 2003, according to NPR.
Preventing injuries and fatalities is the reason Keystone Energy offers an entire line of safety-related products including safety flex handles for slips and manual tongs, safety make-up stands, tong-die drivers and the “SLD” slip-lifting device.
Here’s a quick rundown of the safety benefits each of our products provides:
The Safety Clamp consists of individual links, flexibly hinged together. When the clamp tightens, each slip takes a firm grip on the surface of the pipe. Should the pipe start to fall, or should load increase occur against the slips, the taper mounting causes each slip to wedge tighter against the surface of the pipe to increase the grip or lock the pipe against further movement.
Keystone Slip Safety Flex Handles are designed to eliminate cuts from frayed cables, reduce back injuries, and improve ergonomics.
Safety Make-up Stand
The Safety Make-up Stand allows for safe make-up or break out of subs, stabilizers, and other bottom hole components by keeping them in a stable and upright position while being rotated.
The slip lifting device is designed for use when tripping in or out of the hole to help reduce fatigue and prevent injuries.
Tong die drivers are used to safely remove tong dies while reducing the risk of injuries to the hand. Brass striking components reduce flying objects and protect worker’s hand from hammer injuries.
Used on ST-80, Mud Buckets, and other miscellaneous rig equipment where hand protection is required.
Ensuring your worker’s safety is no laughing matter. Not only is the cost of replacing an injured employee substantial, the emotional and financial toll can take on him and his family are a reason for even greater concern.
We all want to reach a point of zero safety incidents on our rigs, but given the conditions under which we work, that is unlikely to happen. Using safety products from Keystone Energy is one way to prevent injuries before they happen. Contact us to learn more about these and the other products we offer.