Dangers while Working Drill Collars

Working around tubulars is where most injuries occur on drilling rigs.  Drill collars are extremely heavy and extra care needs to be taken when working around or handling them.

  1. When picking up and laying down collars, don’t stand under or near the operation after lifting procedures are underway.
  2. Exercise caution while rolling collars.
  3. Do not attempt to stop a rolling collar with your foot or hand.
  4. Don’t stand on drill collars while on racks.
  5. Drill collars on racks should be chocked to prevent inadvertent movement.
  6. Use the rig floor winch to lift or handle subs.
  7. When installing lift subs use the rig floor winch cable to stabilize it while it is being turned in. Be sure to remove the line once the sub is stable in the collar.
  8. Be sure the lift sub is adequately tightened.
  9. Place lift subs back on the rack after use. Don’t leave lift subs lying around the rig floor.
  10. When moving collars from the catwalk to the rig floor, personnel should stay off the catwalk and clear from the path of the collars’ movement to the rig floor. Stay out from below collars being hoisted by a crane or rig floor winch. 
  11. When moving collars on the floor, establish good footing. This will keep you from straining the upper part of your body.
  12. When setting collars on the floor, watch where you put your hands and feet.
  13. Keep fingers clear of the thread area when putting lifting subs in drill collars.
  14. Take care when turning in the lift sub with chain tongs.
  15. Pickup line should be properly installed prior to lifting collars.
  16. Drill collars in the V-door should be snubbed to prevent them from sliding down the beaver slide.
  17. When placing the drill collar clamp on drill collars, be sure to keep feet and hands from below the clamp.
  18. Thread protectors should be kept on the pin and in the box end to protect the threads from damage.
  19. When thread protectors are removed, the threads should be cleaned and checked for possible damage. Then the proper thread lubricant can be applied.
  20. Use caution when removing thread protectors.
  21. Place removed thread protectors in a drum or other container to keep them off the rig floor or ground.