Site preparation for an oil and gas well usually looks like any other construction site. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (29 CFR 1926) to assess safety compliance during this phase of the development of a drilling site.
Process: Leveling Site
The site is leveled (if necessary) with a bulldozer or a grader.
Hazards:
- Damaging buried pipelines and cables
- Unpredictable weather changes that create unexpected hazards
- Irritant and toxic plants, pollens and other entrained materials
- Uneven ground that could cause bulldozers to roll over
Solutions:
- Perform a site-line location survey.
- Plan for hazards due to unpredictable changing weather.
- After weather changes, conduct inspections for new hazards.
- Protect workers engaged in site clearing from hazards of irritant and toxic plants. Teach workers about available first-aid treatments.
- Provide rollover guards on all equipment used in site-clearing operations.
- Provide overhead and rear canopy guards on rider-operated equipment.
Process: Excavating and Trenching
The scale and duration of excavating and trenching are minor and site-specific. On some drilling sites, a below-ground-level cellar may be excavated. This is where the main borehole will be drilled. A reserve pit and settling pits may be excavated and used for water or drilling fluid discharges.
Hazards:
- Dust and other airborne contaminants can cause respiratory problems or allergic reactions
- Damaging buried pipelines and cables
Solutions:
- Wear appropriate respiratory protection.
- Perform a site-line location survey.
For more risk management solutions, contact INSURICA today.
Source: Occupational Safety & Health Administration
© 2012, 2015, 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
Preparing for Freezes: Protecting Your School During Cold Weather
Preventing Frozen Pipes in Schools is essential to maintaining a safe and operational learning environment during cold weather. Frozen and burst pipes can cause costly damage, disrupt daily activities, and compromise the safety of students and staff. By taking proactive steps, schools can effectively mitigate these risks and ensure their facilities are prepared for freezing temperatures.
Cyber Case Study: Hack at Steel Mill Causes Physical Damage
In late 2014, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) released a report detailing a disruptive cyber attack at an unnamed steel mill facility. The attack—which was deployed through a combination of social engineering tactics and malware— compromised several of the steel mill’s industrial control components. From there, equipment breakdowns and production outages ensued, resulting in extensive property destruction.
Winter Driving Tips for Truckers
One of the joys of the trucking business is the ability to travel across the country and experience the beauty of different roads from coast to coast. However, this also means you must prepare for various types of driving conditions.