An Operators Perspective On Safety

Eliminating the Hazard With GunHandler – The Wireline Tool Wrangler

If there has been one constant in the oilfield over the last century, it’s the backing of a strong and dedicated workforce.

The labor component of oil and gas operations is equally important as is its technology advancement counterpart. The human element of capital, maintenance, and production projects is likely to remain the leader of consistency in the oil patch. Even with modern efforts to digitize and mechanized field operations, having personnel onsite to manage best practices and keep operations continuous is paramount. With the on-going introduction of works, as always, brings a highly variable degree of risk to every step of operations.

The main focus here is the operator. Possibly one of the most laborious positions in the oilfield, operators on a frac spread is no stranger to hard work. Neither are the numerous 3rd-parties coming in and out of location performing various specialty services.

In the case of wireline operators, they are the ones often to stay on the job from start to finish, being on-call, and being a single point of contact during troubleshooting. Because of the repetitive nature of wireline activities during fracs, wireline operators are subjected to the same repetitive hazard profiles during each work shift.

Slips, trips, and falls, pinch points, overexertion, fire or explosions, exposure to high levels of noise, and struck-by high-pressure line hazards are all commonly associates hazards any given wireline operator (or any operator on location for that matter) would be exposed to during any given shift.

How to Use Root Cause Analysis for Investigating Incidents

When it comes to workplace accidents or injuries, it is important to gather information about how the incident took place.

The information that is gathered is used for both resolving the incident itself and making changes to prevent future safety concerns. One effective way of gathering and using information is to perform a Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

What is a Root Cause Analysis?

Root Cause Analysis is a proven method for examining the circumstances that happened prior to an issue is an effective way to gather information in an incident investigation. Using Root Cause Analysis, you will have a systematic process that identifies where the root of the issue began, and help you develop effective processes to prevent future issues. Using a RCA you will examine what happened, how it happened, and why it happened using the proven RCA method. One of the main principles of using RCA is focusing on corrective measures of the root cause rather than repeatedly treating the symptoms of a recurring problem.

How To Initiate an RCA for Incident Investigation

One of the first things to do is define the problem itself. Once you understand that you can begin to collect information on any issues or events that contributed to the incident including causal factors and root causes.

Best Practices for Gathering Data and Defining Root Causes

As you review the incident you will collect various types of information and you will want to organize it in a way that is useful and effective. You can define a problem by creating a cause and effect tree or a cause map. Each utilizes the information you have gathered to drill down until you define the root causes of a problem. It is a visual working document that lets you know where you need more information and where there are many layers that contributed to the incident that you are investigating.

Looking Forward and Avoiding Future Incidents

One of the key aspects of Root Cause Analysis is going beyond simply identifying a problem and looking forward by using the analysis to prevent future incidents. You want to create solutions that are effective and change how people approach their work making things safer for the future. Overall, performing a Root Cause Analysis for incidents will allow you to assess the problem, figure out where it is rooted, and implement effective strategies to prevent future issues. If your workers need Root Cause Analysis training, you can trust the professionals at RWLS Safety to help you gain the necessary knowledge.

What to Expect From a Oilfield Safety Training Course

Although oilfield workers can receive training from a variety of providers, there are standards you can expect no matter who is facilitating the class.

Oilfield safety training will typically consist of classroom activities and trial scenarios. Often Hands-On training is par for the course when working with heavy machinery or evacuation routines.

In the classroom, an instructor will likely lecture with the help of slideshow presentations, videos, worksheets, and real-world stories from the field. You can expect to learn general safety topics like federal regulations, hazard communication, and personal protection equipment. Some oilfield-specific issues that you might learn about include offshore and onshore transportation, emergency management, and marine debris.

Hands-on training, however, will require more interaction. Depending on your career level and job description, you may be asked to perform many different tasks. Many offshore oilfield workers must complete training in helicopter underwater escape, incipient firefighting, and respiratory protection. But, no matter what your job is, you’re going to be expected to do it safely.

The high cost of an untrained crew.

In the oilfield, many factors can affect the company’s bottom line. Many of these factors are outside of your control when working with natural elements, so it is essential to control the things you have power over to prevent injuries and casualties.

A Safety accident can cost a business thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many accidents lead to damaged equipment as well as downtime for investigations. A rig can lose a million dollars a day if if it has to shut down from loss of production. This does not include the additional expenses as a result of worker injuries, retraining additions in insurance premiums. These enormous expenses make a liability out of anyone who is not adequately trained in safety.

If you or members of your team are less than thrilled about training, it’s a good idea to hash out the benefits. In a nutshell, those with current training are less of a liability to their companies; they are prepared for inspections, and – most importantly – they will go home at the end of their shifts.

In today’s oil field, safety is essential.

Safety Harnesses 101

A safety harness is a form of personal protective equipment (PPE). It’s made of various straps and belts that secure personnel to help keep them from falling or getting injured.

What makes up the safety harness and why? The various belts and buckles that make up the harness sit in very specific areas of the body so that:

The harness is comfortable for the worker to wear

It absorbs the majority of a fall’s force

The straps are situated over the shoulders, pelvis, chest, and around the upper thigh of an individual. However, despite all the straps, belts, and buckles, the harness is fashioned to stay flexible so personnel can still do their job.

Why Are Safety Harnesses Important? The main purpose of a safety harness is to keep individuals from injury due to falling. The harness does not prevent a fall, but helps reduce the impact of a fall.

Even though a harness is incredibly important to employees working at heights, there are still risks caused by the harness after a fall. If not given aid within 10-15 minutes of a fall, an individual may suffer from suspension trauma. This takes place when the weight of a worker weighs down in the harness and begins to cut off circulation.

Inspecting Harnesses – All personal protective equipment (including harnesses) should be inspected at least one or two times per year. Be sure to check:

The webbing: Any strains, frays, or loosened stitching in the webbing is an indication that the harness should be replaced.

Straps or belts: Similarly to the webbing, any fraying or strained straps should be inspected.

Buckles: Any bent, broken, or chipped buckles should be replaced.

D-Rings and plastic loops: Make sure there is no rusting, cracking, or distortion on any of the rings or loops.

Labels: Finally, ensure labels are showing with serial numbers and important dates (such as inspection dates) so you can keep on track with your harness inspections.

See if one of our courses can help you stay up to date with workplace safety! 

Safety Equipment in Your Work Environment

Using safety equipment is important in adhering to guidelines, ensuring the safety of personnel, and promoting a work environment that safely performs everyday work.

While many might see the use of safety equipment as unimportant, it prevents serious injury and allows work to move forward smoothly in the long run.

Over the years, the guidelines for safety has fallen to OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They have tested and researched what best practices and equipment are essential for various roles in the workforce.

The Types of Safety Equipment

There are nine main types of safety equipment that can be used to address a wide variety of jobs and common injuries.

• Skin Protection: This may include hats, sunscreen, long sleeves, or thick working materials to keep your skin from getting burnt or cut.
• Head Protection: Helmets or hoods can keep your head safe.
• Eye Protection: Visors, shields, or goggles keep debris from entering your eyes.
• Hearing Protection: Earplugs or muffs help keep your hearing from being harmed.
• Hand Protection: This can include barrier creams or gloves.
• Foot Protection: Specific shoes or boots help your feet stay unharmed.
• Respiratory Protection: Masks, breathing filters, full/half face covers, and other related gear block contaminants from entering your lungs.
• Heights Safety Protection: Harnesses or fall-stopping devices keep you safe when working from heights.
• Other Personal Protective Equipment: Clothing for working with chemicals, temperature-protective clothing, and other types of gear aid in your safety.

Many of these safety equipment types can be used across a wide array of job types, yet all of them address the various hazards that come with certain careers. It is important to follow safety guidelines for each specific task or work position, ensuring the highest level of care and safety.

Training With Safety Equipment

The key to adhering to safety guidelines is training each position on the proper safety protocols for every task. If a trainee has a clear understanding of why a piece of safety equipment is important and how to use it, you will have a higher rate of success in compliance. While many training videos demonstrate the reason why a particular piece of equipment is important, videos may be less effective in showing a trainee the clear need for safety than your own words. If your company takes safety guidelines seriously and shows deep respect for the hazards that come with the job, trainees will understand that and internalize it at a higher success rate.

Overall, there is a wide range of personal safety equipment that is tailored to jobs and tasks. By demonstrating your own adherence to safety guidelines and training personal safety, your company will have a lower rate of on-the-job injuries and higher use of safety equipment.

Make sure your workers stay safe and gain the training you need for safety gear and equipment! Call 570-404-8420.