Dangers while Working Drill Pipe

Working around tubulars is where most injuries occur on drilling rigs and as with drill collars, working around drill pipe has a number of potential hazards.

  1. When picking up and laying down drill pipe, don’t stand under or near the operation after lifting procedures are underway.
  2. Exercise caution while rolling drill pipe. Do not attempt to roll drill pipe while walking on top of the pipe.
  3. Do not attempt to stop a rolling joint of pipe with your foot or hand.
  4. Don’t stand or walk on drill pipe on racks.
  5. Drill pipe on racks should be chocked to prevent inadvertent movement.
  6. When moving drill pipe from the catwalk to the rig floor, personnel should stay off the catwalk and clear from the path of the drill pipe’s movement to the rig floor.
  7. When moving drill pipe on the rig floor, establish good footing. This will keep you from straining the upper part of your body.
  8. When setting drill pipe on the floor, watch where you put your hands and feet.
  9. Keep fingers clear of the thread area when stabbing drill pipe.
  10. Joints of drill pipe in V-door should be snubbed to prevent them from sliding down the beaver slide.
  11. Drill pipe thread protectors should be kept on the pin and in the box end to protect the threads from damage.
  12. When thread protectors are removed the threads should be cleaned and checked for possible damage, and then the proper thread lubricant should be applied.
  13. Place removed thread protectors in a drum or other container to keep them off the rig floor or ground.
  14. Installing and removing pipe rubbers:
    1. Prepare and inspect all tools and equipment. Be sure to use pipe rubber pin driving tool and hammer.
    2. In addition to normal PPE, workers should wear safety goggles and gloves.
    3. Wait until pipe is completely stopped. Cover the hole. Use a sack or other method to keep dropped objects from falling into the wellbore.
    4. Place the rubber on the pipe and take care not to pinch fingers between the pipe and rubber.
    5. Insert the pin and drive it in using the pin driver.
    6. Reverse the procedure to remove the drill pipe rubber.