The necessity and basic requirements of safety regulations for well drilling operations

The necessity and basic requirements of safety regulations for well drilling operations

Well drilling is a complex job involving heavy machinery, underground construction and high-altitude operations. The environment is changeable and the risks are high. Formulating and strictly abiding by safety regulations is by no means a cumbersome procedure, but the absolute cornerstone for ensuring the lives of personnel, the integrity of equipment and the smoothness of the project.

1. Why are safety regulations important?

Personal safety is the first priority: drilling rigs have many moving parts (such as rotating drill pipes and wire ropes), and they often operate next to high-voltage electric or diesel engines. The wellhead is open and there is a risk of falling. Standardized operation and protection can directly prevent serious injuries or even fatal accidents.

Prevent major equipment losses: Incorrect operations (such as forcibly lifting a stuck drill pipe) may cause drill pipes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to be twisted and the power head to be damaged, causing huge economic losses. Standardized operating procedures are the best way to protect your equipment investment.

Ensure project quality and efficiency: Safety accidents will inevitably lead to shutdown, investigation and rectification, seriously delaying the construction schedule. An orderly and regulated work site is itself a prerequisite for efficient and high-quality construction.

2. Basic safety requirements for well drilling operations

All personnel, including operators and support workers, must adhere to the following core requirements:

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be complete:

Safety helmet: Wear it all the time to prevent falling objects.

Labor protection gloves and non-slip shoes: protect hands when operating drill pipes and tools, and non-slip shoes to prevent falls.

Protective glasses: Prevent drilling fluid and debris from splashing into the eyes.

Work clothes: should be tight-fitting to prevent loose clothing from being caught in rotating parts.

Safety inspection and preparation before operation:

Check equipment: Check all fastening bolts, wire rope wear, hydraulic lines and brake systems before starting the machine.

Survey site: Clear away irrelevant debris in the site to ensure the ground is solid and flat to prevent the drilling rig from tilting. Make sure there are no cables or pipelines underground and no high-voltage wires in the air.

Set up a warning zone: Set up obvious warning signs around the wellhead, and non-operators are not allowed to enter.

Core safety disciplines at work:

When the machine is running, keep your body away from the danger zone: it is strictly forbidden to approach or touch the drill pipe with your hands while the drill pipe is rotating; it is strictly forbidden to stand or cross under the suspended drilling tool.

Standard use of tools: Use appropriate tools (such as special wrenches), and it is strictly forbidden to use hammers or other hammers to perform improper operations.

Clear signals for collaborative operations: When multiple people cooperate (such as well pipes), one person must be designated for unified command and clear signals.

Pay attention to the status of the wellhead: Pay attention to the return of water (slurry) at the wellhead and the sound of drilling tool operation at any time. If any abnormality (such as drill stuck, slurry leakage) is found, handle it immediately according to the regulations and do not act recklessly.

Safe closing after work:

Proper shutdown: Lift the drilling tool to a safe position, turn off the power, and lock the operating handle.

Cover the wellhead: When suspending or ending operations, the wellhead must be completely covered with a solid cover, and warning signs must be set up to prevent people and animals from falling.

Organize the site: clean and maintain equipment, return tools, and keep the site clean and orderly.

Summary: Safety is a habit, not a burden

Safety regulations are not slogans posted on the wall, but habits engraved in the heart and instinctive reactions in every step of operation. Every time you wear protective equipment correctly and every time you "stop, look, and think" before an operation, you build the most solid line of defense for the entire work team, family happiness, and project success. Managers are responsible for mandatory training and supervision, and every operator should be aware of being "responsible for the safety of himself and his fellow workers." Only in this way can the hard work of digging a well be completed safely and efficiently.