Safety Knowledge and Risk Prevention at Well Drilling Sites

Safety Knowledge and Risk Prevention at Well Drilling Sites

Well drilling involves heavy machinery, working at heights, underground hazards, and electrical risks, making it a high-risk work environment. All personnel on site, including owners and construction workers, must have a strong safety awareness and master the following basic safety knowledge and preventive measures.

I. Personal Safety Protection: The First Lesson Upon Arrival

Upon entering the work area, proper protective equipment must be worn; this is the last line of defense for self-protection.

Safety helmet: Must be worn at all times to prevent injury from falling objects.

Anti-slip safety shoes: Protect feet and prevent slips and injuries from heavy objects.

Work clothes: Should be close-fitting; loose clothing or clothing with dangling straps is strictly prohibited to prevent entanglement in rotating parts. Long hair must be secured inside the safety helmet.

Protective gloves and safety glasses: Wear gloves when handling pipes and operating tools; wear safety glasses when there is a risk of splashing debris.

II. Pre-operation Safety Inspection and Preparation

Pre-operation checks are crucial for accident prevention.

Site Survey and Clearance:

Clear debris from the site to ensure the ground is level and firm, preventing the drilling rig from tilting.

The location of underground cables, pipelines, and overhead high-voltage lines must be identified, and a safe distance must be maintained. This is a strict rule.

Pre-start Equipment Inspection:

Check that the drilling rig tower, wire ropes, and all connecting bolts are intact and securely fastened.

Check that the engine/motor, gearbox, and braking system are functioning correctly.

Confirm that all rotating parts have complete and secure protective covers.

Establish a Safety Warning Zone:  Set up clear warning signs around the wellhead and drilling rig; unauthorized personnel are prohibited from entering.

III. Core Safety Prohibitions During Operation

These are the "red lines" that must be strictly followed on site.

Strictly prohibited from approaching dangerous areas when equipment is running:

Absolutely prohibited to touch moving parts with hands or stand or walk under moving parts when drill pipes are rotating, or when drilling tools are being lifted or lowered.

Strictly prohibited to perform maintenance, lubrication, or cleaning while the equipment is running.

Standardized operation, no reckless behavior:

Use specialized tools (such as drill pipe wrenches); do not use hammers or other tools for striking.

When multiple people are required to cooperate, such as during casing installation or accident handling, one person must be designated to give unified commands with clear signals. Continuously monitor the drilling rig instruments and wellhead conditions.  Immediately stop drilling if any abnormalities are detected (such as unusual noises, drill bit jamming, or mud leakage), investigate the cause, and then proceed with corrective action. Forced operation is strictly prohibited.

IV. Key Risk Prevention Measures

**Electrical Shock Prevention:** All cables should be overhead or properly protected, and distribution boxes must be waterproof and grounded. Unauthorized wiring is strictly prohibited.

**Wellhead Fall Prevention:** During and after drilling, the wellhead must be immediately covered with a sturdy cover plate, and conspicuous warning signs must be erected to prevent people and animals from falling into the well.

**Fire and Explosion Prevention:** Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited in the diesel engine and fuel tank areas. Fire extinguishers must be provided. Special ventilation and monitoring are required when working in areas where methane gas may be present.

**Adverse Weather Response:** In case of thunderstorms or strong winds (above level 6), all work at height and drilling operations should be stopped immediately, and equipment should be secured.

V. Emergency and Accident Handling Principles

**Familiarity with Emergency Procedures:** Everyone should know the location of the emergency stop button and escape routes.

**First Principle: Stop, Disconnect, and Rescue:** In case of personal injury or equipment malfunction, the first response is to immediately stop the machine, disconnect the power, and then, while ensuring your own safety, call for help and provide assistance.

**Timely Reporting:** Any accident or near-miss incident should be reported immediately to the site supervisor.

**Summary: Safety is a habit, and even more so, a responsibility.**

Safety is not just a slogan on the wall, but a habit integrated into every operational detail. Managers have the responsibility of supervision and training, while every on-site worker is the primary person responsible for their own safety. Only by internalizing the principle of "four no-harm" (not harming oneself, not harming others, not being harmed by others, and protecting others from harm) and externalizing it in actions can we truly build a solid line of defense for life safety in high-risk drilling operations. Please always remember: one moment of carelessness can lead to irreparable lifelong regret.