Changes

==Government safety regulations==

==Government safety regulations==

Safety at a wellsite is governed by federal and state regulations, as well as by the operator's in-house codes. Federal regulations are established in the ''Safety and Health Standards'' set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 1983). In many states, these regulations are administered by state agencies. State regulatory agencies can also have their own specific standards that are more stringent than OSHA requirements. A prudent operator should be aware of all levels of safety regulations.

Safety at a wellsite is governed by federal and state regulations, as well as by the operator's in-house codes. Federal regulations are established in the ''Safety and Health Standards'' set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 1983{{citation needed}}). In many states, these regulations are administered by state agencies. State regulatory agencies can also have their own specific standards that are more stringent than OSHA requirements. A prudent operator should be aware of all levels of safety regulations.

==Rig safety equipment==

==Rig safety equipment==

* A bad attitude

* A bad attitude

In general, the minimal personal safety equipment includes a hard hat, steel-toed boots, and eye and ear protection<ref name=pt03r35>Michigan Department of Labor, 1989, Personal protective equipment, Part 33: Safety Standards Division Occupational Safety Standards for General Industry, Lansing, MI.</ref>. In some cases, it may also include gas monitors and supplied air respirators.

In general, the minimal personal safety equipment includes a hard hat, steel-toed boots, and eye and ear protection.<ref name=pt03r35>Michigan Department of Labor, 1989, Personal protective equipment, Part 33: Safety Standards Division Occupational Safety Standards for General Industry, Lansing, MI.</ref> In some cases, it may also include gas monitors and supplied air respirators.

===Head protection===

===Head protection===

===Ear protection===

===Ear protection===

Ear protection is recommended in areas where noise levels exceed 85 decibels<ref name=pt03r35 />. Two types of ear protection are available:

Ear protection is recommended in areas where noise levels exceed 85 decibels.<ref name=pt03r35 /> Two types of ear protection are available:

* Protective muffs mounted on a hard hat

* Protective muffs mounted on a hard hat

===Air respirators===

===Air respirators===

Air respirators require specific training before they can be used in life-threatening environments. There are two general types of air respirators designed for personal use:

Air respirators require specific training before they can be used in life-threatening environments. There are two general types of air respirators designed for personal use:

* The 5-minute air tank with a face mask is designed to provide emergency escape from the site

* The 5-minute air tank with a face mask is designed to provide emergency escape from the site

* The more familiar self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA or air pack) is designed for short-term work in hazardous environments (Figure 1).

* The more familiar self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA or air pack) is designed for short-term work in hazardous environments ([[:file:wellsite-safety_fig1.jpg|Figure 1]]).

 

[[file:wellsite-safety_fig1.png|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Typical self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). (Photo. Copyright: Scott Aviation.]]

In using either system, a good face mask fit is essential. Because facial hair tends to break the seal, beards are often not permitted on the wellsite. On drilling rigs where known hazards from poisonous gas exist, air lines are installed and workers plug their individual air hoses into the manifold system.

In using either system, a good face mask fit is essential. Because facial hair tends to break the seal, beards are often not permitted on the wellsite. On drilling rigs where known hazards from poisonous gas exist, air lines are installed and workers plug their individual air hoses into the manifold system.

===Hydrogen sulfide===

===Hydrogen sulfide===

A special concern at many drilling locations is hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless gas that has a “rotten egg” odor at concentrations below 1 ppm (part per million). At 10 to 20 ppm, protective steps against long-term exposure need to be taken to prevent worker discomfort, such as eye irritation. At concentrations above 20 ppm, the gas deadens the sense of smell and headaches or nausea may develop. At 600 ppm (or less for some people), the sense of smell is immediately paralyzed, breathing stops, and without immediate resuscitation, death follows<ref name=pt03r1>American National Standards Institute, 1972, Acceptable concentrations of hydrogen sulfide: ANSI Report No. Z37., 2, New York.</ref><ref name=pt03r3>American Petroleum Institute, 1974, API recommended practices for safe drilling of wells containing hydrogen sulfide: API Report No. 49, Dallas, TX, 11 p.</ref>.

A special concern at many drilling locations is hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless gas that has a “rotten egg” odor at concentrations below 1 ppm (part per million). At 10 to 20 ppm, protective steps against long-term exposure need to be taken to prevent worker discomfort, such as eye irritation. At concentrations above 20 ppm, the gas deadens the sense of smell and headaches or nausea may develop. At 600 ppm (or less for some people), the sense of smell is immediately paralyzed, breathing stops, and without immediate resuscitation, death follows.<ref name=pt03r1>American National Standards Institute, 1972, Acceptable concentrations of hydrogen sulfide: ANSI Report No. Z37., 2, New York.</ref><ref name=pt03r3>American Petroleum Institute, 1974, API recommended practices for safe drilling of wells containing hydrogen sulfide: API Report No. 49, Dallas, TX, 11 p.</ref>

When entering a site with known or suspected H₂S present, conditions should be determined immediately from site personnel or warning signs. When a well is drilling with a risk of H₂S release, it is important to be continually aware of the wind direction, site layout, safety equipment, and the various means of escape.

When entering a site with known or suspected H₂S present, conditions should be determined immediately from site personnel or warning signs. When a well is drilling with a risk of H₂S release, it is important to be continually aware of the wind direction, site layout, safety equipment, and the various means of escape.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Drilling problems]]

* [[Drilling problems]]

* [[Introduction to wellsite methods]]

* [[Introduction to wellsite methods]]

* [[Rig personnel]]

* [[Rig personnel]]

* [[Pressure detection]]

* [[Pressure detection]]

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Wellsite methods]]

[[Category:Wellsite methods]]