First Aid Safety Meeting Topics

High Temperature + High Humidity + Physical Work = Heat Illness

When the body is unable to cool itself through sweating, serious heat illnesses may
occur. The most severe heat induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If
actions are not taken to treat heat exhaustion, the illness could progress to heat stroke and
possible death.
Heat Exhaustion
What Happens to the Body: Headaches, dizziness/light headedness, weakness, mood
changes (irritable, or confused/cant think straight), feeling sick to your stomach,
vomiting/throwing up, decreased and dark colored urine, fainting/passing out, and pale
clammy skin. If heat exhaustion is not treated, the illness may advance to heat stroke.
What Should Be Done

Move the person to a cool shaded area to rest. Dont leave the person alone. If the
person is dizzy or light headed, position him on his back and raise his legs about 6-8
inches. If he is sick to his stomach lay him on his side.

Loosen and remove any heavy clothing.

Have the person drink cool water (a small cup every 15 minutes) if he is not feeling
sick to his stomach.

Try to cool the person by fanning him. Cool the skin with a cool spray mist of water
or wet cloth.

If the person does not feel better in a few minutes call for emergency medical help.

Heat StrokeA Medical Emergency

What Happens to the Body: Dry pale skin (no sweating), hot red skin (looks like a
sunburn), mood changes (irritable, confused/not making any sense), seizures/fits, and
collapsed/passed out (will not respond).
What Should Be Done

Call for emergency help.

Move the person to a cool shaded area. Dont leave the person alone. Position him
on his back and if he is having seizures/fits, remove objects close to him to avoid
further injury. If the person is sick to his stomach lay him on his side.

Remove any heavy and outer clothing.

Have the person drink cool water (a small cup every 15 minutes) if he is alert enough
to drink anything and is not feeling sick to his stomach.

Try to cool the person with fanning. Cool the skin with a cool spray mist of water, wet
cloth, or wet sheet.

If ice is available, place ice packs under the armpits and groin area.

How to Protect Yourself

Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-induced illnesses and what to do.

Perform the heaviest work in the coolest part of the day.

Slowly build up tolerance to the heat and the work activity (usually takes up to 2
weeks).

Use the buddy system (work in pairs).

Drink plenty of cool water (one small cup every 15-20 minutes).

Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable (like cotton) clothing.

Take frequent short breaks in cool shaded areas (allow your body to cool down).

Avoid eating large meals before working in hot environments.

Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages (these beverages make the body lose water
and increase the risk for heat illnesses).

Workers Are at Increased Risk When They

Take certain medications. Check with your doctor.
They have had a heat-induced illness in the past.
Use alcohol excessively.
Wear personal protective equipment (like respirators or suits).

Heat-Related Conditions
Mechanics of Heat-Related Conditions: Under normal conditions the bodys ability to
dissipate heat through the evaporation of sweat and convection of cooler air over the skin is
sufficient to prevent heat-related conditions from developing. As the temperature and

humidity rises, the effectiveness of the primary method of cooling by evaporation is

reduced. Another important factor for heat-related health problems is insufficient intake of
fluids (water and electrolyte solutions) during these conditions.
Causes of Heat-Related Conditions: Age, weight, degree of physical fitness, degree of
acclimatization (getting used to), metabolism, use of alcohol or drugs, and a variety of
medical conditions such as hypertension all affect a persons sensitivity to heat. However,
even the type of clothing worn must be considered. Prior heat injury predisposes an
individual to additional injury. It is difficult to predict just who will be affected and when,
because individual susceptibility varies. In addition, environmental factors include more than
the ambient air temperature. Radiant heat, air movement, conduction, and relative humidity
all affect an individuals response to heat.
Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
Heat Crampsheat cramps usually develop during strenuous activity in a hot environment.
Excessive sweating causes a loss of electrolytes, which causes cramping and pain in the
legs, arms and abdomen. This condition is usually not an emergency and can be treated by:
1. Removing the person from the hot environment
2. Apply direct pressure on the cramping muscle
3. Gentle steady stretching
4. Rest
5. Fluid replacement with water and/or half strength electrolyte solutions.
Note: If the person does not show signs of improvement after being treated as listed
above or develops other more serious signs and symptoms, they may need
immediate medical attention.
Heat Exhaustionheat exhaustion occurs when excessive sweating and inadequate fluid
intake causes a loss of the bodys fluid volume. This low fluid volume results in inadequate
blood circulation in the body. Early signs and symptoms may include fatigue, light
headedness, nausea, vomiting, headache and their skin is usually cool and pale. If left
untreated they may develop classic signs of shockincreased heart rate, increased
breathing rate and eventually low blood pressure.
Heat exhaustion can be treated by:
1. Removing the person from the hot environment to a cool location
2. Have them lie down with their feet elevated 8 to 12 inches
3. If they are alert and able to do so, have them drink diluted electrolyte solution.

Note: If the person does not show signs of improvement or develops other more
serious signs and symptoms they may need immediate medical attention.
Heat Strokeheat stroke occurs when the body can no longer regulate its temperature.
With heat stroke the bodys temperature is very high (as high as 105 to 107 F). The skin
will feel hot to the touch and is likely to be dry with a flushed to red color. The person will be
disoriented, confused and possibly have a lowered level of responsiveness. If this
condition exists, activate your emergency response plan immediately. Heat stroke
must be treated immediately. Do the following while waiting for medical assistance:
1. Remove the patient from the hot environment and begin cooling them immediately
by applying cool water directly to the skin (especially on the head, neck, underarm,
groin and wrist area).
Caution: If medical assistance is delayed, prolonged extreme cooling may cause the
person to develop hypothermia (low body temperature). DO NOT OVERCOOL THE
PATIENT.
2. Maintain an open airway and ensure the victim continues to breathe (apply oxygen if
available and personnel are present who are qualified to administer).
3. Attempt to maintain responsiveness and be alert for possible seizure activity.
4. The best treatment is prevention. When working in hot and humid conditions, drink
plenty of fluids (water and sports drinks). Dont wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Wear natural fiber (cotton) clothing with long sleeves and long pants. Avoid tightfitting clothes and clothes made of synthetic fibers. Limit intake of drinks containing
caffeine (coffee, iced tea, coke, root beer, etc.), and avoid heavy, high-fat meals
while on tour.
Heat Fatiguea factor that predisposes an individual to heat fatigue is lack of
acclimatization (getting used to heat). The use of a program of acclimatization and training
for work in hot environments is advisable. The signs and symptoms of heat fatigue include
impaired performance of skilled sensory-motor, mental, or vigilance jobs. There is no
treatment for heat fatigue except to remove the heat stress before a more serious heatrelated condition develops.
Heat Collapse (Fainting)in heat collapse, the brain does not receive enough oxygen
because blood pools in the extremities. As a result, the exposed individual may lose
consciousness. This reaction is similar to that of heat exhaustion and does not affect the
bodys heat balance. However, the onset of heat collapse is rapid and unpredictable. To
prevent heat collapse, the worker should gradually become acclimatized to the hot
environment.
Heat Rashesare the most common problem in hot work environments. Prickly heat is
manifested as red papules and usually appears in areas where the clothing is restrictive. As
sweating increases, these papules give rise to a prickling sensation. Prickly heat occurs in
skin that is persistently wetted by unevaporated sweat, and heat rash papules may become

infected if they are not treated. In most cases, heat rashes will disappear when the affected
individual returns to a cool environment.

Injuries Due to Cold

Frostbite
Frostbite results from exposure to severe cold. The nose, cheeks, ears, toes, and fingers
are the parts most frequently frostbitten.
Symptoms: Frostbite is more likely to occur when a high wind is blowing that takes heat
from the body rapidly. Usually frostbite is not associated with pain but rather with a feeling of
intense coldness and numbness. The victim may not be aware of frostbite of the cheeks,
ears, or nose until someone tells him, or of frostbite of hands or feet until he removes his
gloves or shoes. The frostbitten area is dead white.
Treatment:

Do not rub the frostbitten part.

Do not expose the part to high temperatures immediately.

Until the victim can be brought indoors, the frozen part should be covered with
woolen cloth or clothing and the victim himself should be made warm with extra
clothing or blankets, if possible. As soon as possible, he should be brought into a
warm room. He should be given a warm drink.

The frozen part should be handled with great care in order to avoid injury to it. If it is
still cold and numb, it should be re-warmed as rapidly as possible by immersing it
momentarily in lukewarm, but not hot, water or by gently wrapping it in warm
blankets. Hot-water bottles or heat lamps should not be applied, nor should the
frostbitten part be placed near a hot stove. Excessive heat may increase the
damage. Once the frostbitten part is re-warmed, the patient should simply be
encouraged to exercise injured toes or fingers. Blisters should not be disturbed.

All frostbites of the second and third degrees should have medical care as promptly
as possible.

Freezing
Symptoms. When the entire body reacts to exposure to severe cold the individual becomes
numb, exertion is difficult, his eyesight fails, he totters and falls, irresistible drowsiness
overtakes him, and he becomes unconscious.
Treatment:

Procure medical attention as promptly as possible.

If breathing has stopped, begin artificial respiration. Bring the victim into a warm
room as quickly as you can. He should be re-warmed as rapidly as possible, either
by placing him in a tub of warm, but not hot, water or by wrapping him in warm
blankets. When he reacts, he should be given a hot drink and kept in a warm bed.

Continue efforts to revive a frozen person for several hours, as persons

apparently dead have been restored to life after many hours of treatment.

Spider Bites
The danger of spider bites: Most spiders are harmless, with the exception of the black
widow and the brown recluse spiders (sometimes called the violin spider). Both of these
spiders are found in warm climates.
Brown recluse spider, or violin spider, is about 1 inch long and has a violin shaped mark
on its upper back. It is often found in warm, dry climates and prefers to stay in undisturbed
areas such as basements, closets, and attics. It is not an aggressive spider, but will attack if
trapped or held against the skin.
Symptoms: Venom from the brown recluse spider usually causes local tissue damage.
However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

burning, pain, itching, or redness at the site which is usually delayed and may
develop within several hours or days of the bite

deep blue or purple area around the bite, surrounded by a whitish ring and large red
outer ring similar to a bulls eye

an ulcer or blister that turns black

headache, body aches, rash, fever, nausea or vomiting

Symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite may resemble other conditions or medical
problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Treatment may include:

Specific treatment for a brown recluse spider bite will be determined by your
physician.

Wash the area well with soap and water.

Apply a cold or ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a cold, wet washcloth to the site.

To protect against infection, particularly in children, apply an antibiotic lotion or

cream.

Give acetaminophen for pain.

Elevate the site if the bite occurred on an arm or leg (to help prevent swelling).

Seek immediate emergency care for further treatment. Depending on the severity of
the bite, treatment can range from administering corticosteroids and other
medications to surgery of the ulcerated area. Hospitalization may be needed.

Prompt treatment is essential to avoid more serious complications, especially in

children.

Black widow spider is a small, shiny, black, button-shaped spider with a red hourglass
mark on its abdomen, and prefers warm climates. Black widow spider bites release a toxin
that can cause damage to the nervous system, thus emergency medical treatment is
necessary.
The following are the most common symptoms of a black widow spider bite. However,
each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

immediate pain, burning, swelling, and redness at the site (double fang marks may
be seen)
cramping pain and muscle rigidity in the stomach, chest, shoulders, and back

headache, dizziness, restlessness and anxiety

rash, itching, sweating eyelid swelling, and tearing of the eyes

nausea or vomiting, salivation, weakness, tremors, or paralysis, especially in the legs

These symptoms of a black widow spider bite may resemble other conditions or medical
problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Treatment may include:

Specific treatment for a black widow spider bite will be determined by your
physician.

Wash the area well with soap and water.

Apply a cold or ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a cold, wet washcloth to the site.

To protect against infection, particularly in children, apply an antibiotic lotion or

cream.

Give acetaminophen for pain.

Seek immediate emergency care for further treatment. Depending on the severity of
the bite, treatment may include muscle relaxants, pain relievers and other
medications, and supportive care. Antivenom may be needed, although it is usually
not required. Hospitalization may be needed.

Prompt treatment is essential to avoid more serious complications, especially in

children

Radiation Safety
Radiation is an emotional topic. For many, the mention of the word radiation produces a
strong reaction of fear. However, radiationwhen treated with healthy respectneed not
endanger any of those who work around it. Furthermore, radioactive logging, both neutron
or gamma radiation, at the wellsite is essential to cutting the cost of exploration and
improving production.
Protections from ionizing radiation are time, distance and shielding. At the wellsite certain
procedures should be followed using these three principles to ensure a safe and healthy
work environment.
1. All rig personnel should minimize the length of time spent near a radioactive source.
2. Personnel who are not needed in the proceedings should be kept out of the area
when a source is being transferred from the shield to the tool.
3. During the process of transferring from the shield to the tool, the hole should be
covered.
4. The radioactive source should be kept on the truck; and when not on the truck, it
should be under visual control of the logging company personnel. If rig personnel
notice an unattended source, they should tell the logging engineer about it
immediately.
5. If a source is found after the logging company has left, the company should be
notified immediately. The source should be isolated and access to the storage area
should be restricted. Exposure time should be minimized.
6. During fishing operations where a logging tool containing a radioactive source is
retrieved, certain steps must be taken to prevent unnecessary exposure:
a. The logging engineer should consult with the rig crew on procedures.
b. The fishing tool should be stopped before coming out of the hole. At this time,
it should be decided how best to minimize exposure.

c. Non-essential personnel should leave the rig floor.

d. Drilling, rotating, pounding and milling should be avoided.
7. In the case of a suspected source rupture, the principles of time, distance, and
shielding become doubly important:
a. Restrict any area which might be contaminated.
b. If rescue operations are necessary, rescuers should be protected from
prolonged exposure. Radiation exposure should be spread among a large
crew for short periods rather than allowing one person to receive a large
amount of exposure.
c. Protection from contamination can be provided through the means of
protective layering (e.g., wearing several layers of clothing and gloves). A
scarf over the mouth will help prevent inhalation or ingestion of radioactive
material.
d. People who may have been contaminated should be isolated.
e. Anyone who has been working around the rig should be checked for
contamination.
f.

Eating, drinking, and smoking are all prohibited.

g. If it is discovered that someone has been contaminated, the person should

shower immediately. Body folds and hairy areas should be scrubbed for at
least 15 minutes. All clothing, everything from the hard hat right down to the
boots, should be bagged and labeled.
8. NORM or Naturally Occurring Radiation is another source of radiation in the oilfield.
Manifestations of Specific Drugs

The classifications of Controlled Substances are:

1. Narcotics: Opium, Heroin, Codeine, Morphine, Methadone
2. Depressants: Barbiturates, Tranquilizers, Chloral Hydrate, Methaqualone
3. Stimulants: Amphetamines, Cocaine, Speed
4. Hallucinogens: LSD, Mescaline and Peyote, PCP, Amphetamine Variants
5. Cannabis: Marijuana, THC, Hashish, Hashish Oil
A. The Narcotic Abuser These individuals are the exceptions and not the rule in
work areas. They usually begin by drinking paregoric or cough medicines containing
codeinethe presence of empty bottles in wastebaskets or in work area is a clue.
1. Inhaling heroin in powder form leaves traces of white powder around the nostrils causing
redness and rawness.

2. Injecting heroin scars the inner surface of the arms and elbows (mainlining). The user
usually wears long sleeves.
3. Users often leave syringes, bent spoons, cotton and needles in lockersthis is a telltale
sign of an addict.
4. In the work area the user is lethargic, drowsy. His pupils are constricted and fail to
respond to light.
B. The Depressant Abuser
1. Symptoms of alcohol intoxication with one important exceptionno odor of alcohol on the
breath.
2. Staggering, stumbling or disoriented.
3. May fall asleep.
4. Lacks interest.
5. Is drowsy and may appear disoriented.
6. Slurred speech.
C. The Stimulant Abuser
1. Causes excess activityuser is irritable, argumentative, nervous and has difficulty sitting
still.
2. Pupils are dilated.
3. Mouth and nose are dry with bad breath, causing user to lick his lips frequently and rub
and scratch his nose.
4. Chain smoking.
5. Goes long periods without eating or sleeping.
6. Increased alertness.
7. Increased pulse rate and blood pressure.
D. The Hallucinogen Abuser
1. Illusions and hallucinations.
2. Poor perception of time and distance.
3. Users sit or recline quietly in dream or trancelike state.
4. Users may become fearful and experience a degree of terror which makes them attempt
to escape from the group.
5. The drug primarily affects the central nervous system, producing changes in mood and
behavior.
6. Perceptual changes involve senses of sight, hearing, touch, body-image and time.
Note: LSD is odorless, tasteless and colorless and may be found in the form of
impregnated sugar cubes, cookies, stamps, tattoos, or jewelry. LSD is usually taken orally
but may be injected. It is imported in ampules of clear blue liquid.
E. The Cannabis Abuser Industrys largest drug problem, marijuana may be
smoked or eaten (brownies or cookies). Users are difficult to recognize unless they
are observed while under the influence of the drug.
1. At first user may appear animated and hysterical with rapid, loud talking, bursts of

laughter, disoriented behavior.

2. In later stages the user is sleepy or stuporous.
3. Depth perception is distorted, making driving dangerous. Reaction time for motor skills,
such as driving, is increased by 41 percent after one marijuana cigarette, 63 percent after
smoking two.
4. Increased appetite.
5. Euphoria and relaxed inhibitions.
Note: Marijuana cigarettes are rolled in a double-thickness of brown, off-white or colored
cigarette paper. These cigarettes are smaller than a regular cigarette with the paper twisted
or tucked in at both ends and with tobacco that is greener in color than regular tobacco. The
odor of burning marijuana resembles that of burning weeds or rope. The cigarettes are
referred to as reefers, sticks, Texas tea, pot, rope, Mary Jane, shit, loco weed, jive, grass,
hemp, hay.

Its Hot Again

With hot weather full upon us, its time to start thinking about the protective measures
needed to get through the summer months comfortably and without any ill effects from torrid
temperatures. Sweating is one of natures ways of cooling and protecting the body.
Sweat is a weak solution of sodium chloride (common salt) with urea and small amounts of
calcium, iron, potassium, and lactic acid. Loss of these chemicals is not serious, unless
perspiration is profuse or strenuous work is performed for long periods in excessive heat. In
such circumstances water and electrolytes must be replaced. Some 70 per cent of the
bodys weight is composed of water, and the amount of water lost through perspiration,
breathing, etc., may vary from 3 to 10 quarts daily.
Dehydration and heat exhaustion may result from excessive fluid loss. Severe muscular
cramps in the legs and abdomen are caused by salt deficiency. Electrolytes and water will
help prevent this deficiency but not water alone. When the body does not have its normal
supply of electrolytes, the blood thickens; the person gets tired and is an easy victim of heat
exhaustion. You may drink as much water as you wish as long as proper amounts of
electrolytes are taken with it. If you should drink too much water without it, the body may be
unable to retain fluids effectively because the chemical relationships in the body will be
completely upset, so it is necessary to replace this salt in our bodies. The bodys
electrolytes may be replaced by the salt in our food or, when we perspire profusely, by
taking electrolyte tablets. Remember each individual is different and persons on a restricted
diet should follow their doctors orders.
Electrolyte deficiency leads to muscular cramps in the legs and abdomen. Dehydration or
heat exhaustion may be the aftermath of excessive fluid loss. To compensate for electrolyte
loss through perspiration, electrolyte tablets are now widely used. Persons on salt-restricted

diets should follow their doctors orders. One of the benefits of taking extra salt is the thirst
it creates. It makes you drink more water, and the extra intake of water is just as important
as the salt. Fruit juices are good, if not sweetened too much.
External use of water helps. Just washing up or a shower will help relieve fatigue. Air
movement promotes perspiration evaporation, resulting in an actual cooling effect as well as
psychological benefits.
Other precautions to be followed aside from the use of electrolytes include the following:
1. Dont overeatespecially heavy heat-producing foods. Instead stick to light easilydigested meals.
2. Never strenuously exercise before or after a meal.
3. Dont over-indulge in alcoholic drinks.
4. Never expose yourself to the heat any more than is necessary.
5. Wear a hat when exposed to the hot sun.
6. Dont attempt to work if you have been vomiting excessively or have a severe case
of diarrhea.
The upper limit for comfortable temperatures is around 85F, but heat isnt the only factor for
comfort. Humidity must be considered, too. For example, with a temperature at 85F and a
relative humidity of 30%, a person can function at almost 99% of his normal efficiency; but
as the humidity approaches 100%, efficiency drops to about 85%.
Low efficiency, however, isnt the only thing to worry about. Acute heat diseases, such as
heat cramps and heat exhaustion, may strike people down under unfavorable conditions;
but even more important are sustained, though less drastic exposures. Initiative and
alertness may fall off, making the individual more susceptible to accident and illness.
Exercise good judgment during the Dog Days and dont let a high reading on the
thermometer get you down. Dont overexert; take plenty of liquids. Keep the body salt up;
and remember that moving air is always a help. Next winter youll be wishing it were
summer again.

Heat Stress Precautions and Ill Effects

Simple precautions can prevent many heat-related deaths and injuries.
It is recommended that you practice the following helpful habits:

1. Drink plenty of waterabout 1 cup of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes, even when
not thirstyand avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks that dehydrate
the body.
2. Adjust to the heat by assigning a lighter workload and longer rest periods for the first
5 to 7 days of intense heat. This process should start all over again when a worker
returns from vacation or absence from the job.
3. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
4. Workers should change their clothes if they get completely saturated.
5. Use general ventilation and spot cooling at points of high heat production. Good
airflow increases evaporation and cooling of the skin.
6. First aid workers should be trained to recognize and treat the signs of heat stress.
7. Workers should know who has been trained to provide aid.
8. Supervisors should be trained to detect early signs of heat-related illness and permit
workers to interrupt their work if they become extremely uncomfortable.
9. Consider physical condition when determining fitness to work in hot environments.
10. Obesity, lack of conditioning, pregnancy and inadequate rest can increase
susceptibility to heat stress.
11. Alternate work and rest periods, with rest periods in a cooler area. Shorter, more
frequent work-rest cycles are best.
12. When possible, schedule heavy work for cooler times of the day and use appropriate
protective clothing.
13. Monitor temperatures, humidity and workers responses to heat at least hourly.
Ill Effects of Excessive Heat
Heat Stress
Cause: Failure of the heat regulating mechanism of the body, with or without direct
exposure to the sun.
Symptoms: Victim may complain of headache and dizziness. Face is red; skin is hot and
dry with no sweating. Other symptoms include high temperature, labored breathing and
sometimes unconsciousness.

Treatment: Victim should be removed to a cool place and laid down with his head raised.
Remove as much clothing as possible and cool the body with cold applications or a cold
bath. Stimulants should never be given. As consciousness returns, he should be watched
for signs of shock and treated accordingly.
Heat Exhaustion
Causes: Excessive loss of salt from the system through perspiration, caused by either the
suns rays or indoor heat.
Symptoms: Victims face is pale; skin moist and cool with profuse sweating. Temperature
is subnormal; pulse is weak and rapid. Symptoms can also include shallow breathing,
dizziness and nausea and vomiting.
Treatment: The victim should be removed to circulating air and laid on his back with head
lowered. Wrap the victim in blankets to prevent chills. Frequent drinks of warm salt water
(approximately 1 teaspoonful of salt per pint of water) should be administered, keep victim
quiet, and treat for shock.
Heat Cramps
Causes: Excessive loss of salt from the system through perspiration. May occur indoors or
outdoors.
Symptoms: Cramping pains in the abdomen and limbs. May or may not be accompanied
by heat exhaustion.
Treatment: Remove the person to circulating air. Treat for shock. Keep the victim lying
down with the head lowno pillows or pads. Keep the victim warm, and if he is conscious
and alert and able to do so, have him drink diluted electrolyte solution. Firm hand pressure
will often relieve the pain of muscle cramps.
The possibility of heat exhaustion, sunstroke and heatstroke may be minimized by
increasing the electrolyte intake during exposure to hot environments, by using extra salt on
your food, drinking salt in water, or taking electrolyte tablets to replace the body electrolytes
lost through perspiration.

Identification of Chemical Abusers in Work

Areas
1. SICK LEAVEunusually high medical treatment records and excessive sick leave.
2. Frequent unexplained ABSENTEEISM.

3. Reporting for work late frequently and attempting to leave work early without good
reason.
4. Frequent requests for wage advances or company loans.
5. DIVORCEStied to drug use.
6. ARRESTStied to drug use.
7. ACQUAINTANCESif a person spends time with known users, he is probably using
drugs himself.
8. WASTING TIME ON THE JOBwater fountain, locker room, bathroom, looking for
an opportunity to inject drugs, being preoccupied with personal problems.
9. MANIPULATIONexcessive complaints to avoid working.
10. APPEARANCEeyes, needle marks, poor hygiene, drowsiness, sloppy dress,
puffiness, hangover, long hair or no hair.
11. AGEgenerally persons over age 30 are less likely to be involved with drugs than
persons under age 30.
12. ATTITUDE TEMPER
13. JOB PERFORMANCEunsafe performance, decrease in production, increasing the
Alibi System.
14. PARAPHERNALIAroach clips, hypodermic syringe and needles, cigarette papers,
burns, spoons, bottle caps, cough medicine bottles, medicine droppers, prescription
bottles, seeds, drug magazines.
15. LOITERING in the parking lot or non-secure areas.
16. Sudden unexplained AFFLUENCETHEFT or high pilferage rates.
17. ODOR on breath from alcohol or breath fresheners.
18. Witness reports of suspected drunkenness but absence of measurable blood alcohol
level or other signs of drinking.
19. Hand-rolled or crudely made cigarettes containing a coarse tobacco-like substance
(marijuana) in a cigarette paper with the ends pinched and twisted together.
20. Persistent ODOR of burnt grass or burnt hay clinging to clothing.
21. GREAT CON MANknows all answers before the questions are asked.

22. During job interviewnodding, scratching, and yawning, indicate recent drug use. To
counteract, the drug user may talk rapidly without making much sense.
23. Restlessness and difficulty sitting still for period of time.
24. EYESred and watery; dilation of pupils with use of marijuana and amphetamines
(uppers); constriction of pupils with barbituates (downers) heroin and morphine.
25. Employee insists on wearing dark glasses indoors and out may be concealing dilated
or constricted pupils.
26. TRACK MARKS (old scars) over veins in legs, arms, neck, ankles and between toes
and fingers. Long sleeve shirt and blouse in hot weather may be worn to cover up
marks.
27. Musty odor or body stench.
28. Constant licking of lips to keep them moist resulting in chapped, raw lips.
29. Drastic loss of weight.
30. Tremor of hands.
31. Often a chain smoker, but seldom uses filter tips.
32. Eats a lot of candy and sweets, drinks soft drinks, but does not bother much with
healthful food (munchies).
33. Stomach is frequently upset.
34. The applicant who says he has lost his drivers license or does not have one and
cannot find a good explanation.
35. Persons with cigarette papers or pipe and no tobacco.
36. Marijuana seeds and stems.
37. STAINS on thumb and forefinger from marijuana use.
38. Burn holes in clothing.
39. Wooden matchboxes, cardboard match folders, stash cans.
40. 35 millimeter film cans; tobacco tins; plastic sandwich bags.
41. INCENSE.

42. PIPE SCREENSfilter for marijuana pipe.

43. BALLOONSused to carry heroin. Will swallow if the user feels close to detection.
44. PACKETS OF PILLSaluminum foil or cellophane.
45. AMPHETAMINES (UPPERS)aggressive behavior; silliness; rapid speech;
confused thinking; no appetite; extreme fatigue; dry mouth and shakiness. Look for
jars of pills of varying colors, chain-smoking.
46. BARBITUATES (DOWNERS)drowsiness; stupor; dullness; slurred speech; drunk
appearance; vomiting. Look for pills of varying colors.
47. HALLUCINOGENICShallucinations; incoherent speech; cold hands and feet;
vomiting; laughing and crying. Look for cube sugar with discoloration in center,
strong body odor, small tubes of liquid.
48. HARD DRUGSstupor; drowsiness; needle marks on body; watery eyes; blood
stain on shirt sleeve; runny nose. Opium Heroin Morphine Codeine. Look for
needle or hypodermic syringe, cotton, tourniquet (string, rope, or belt), burnt bottle,
caps or spoons, glassine envelopes.
Heat Stress Hazards

If the dangers of heat stress are well known, why do workers keep getting hurt, or even
killed, by the heat?
Heat stress is a common, yet it is an often ignored hazard in the workplace. While it is
widely recognized that heat stress can pose a serious health hazard to workers, employers
may not realize that working in hot environments also increases safety risks.
Research shows that working in hot environments is linked with lower mental alertness and
physical performance, and subsequently more injuries. Factor in elevated body
temperature and physical discomfort, and its easy to see how workers can divert their
attention from hazardous tasks and overlook common safety procedures.
Sources of heat stress range from the hot summer sun to the body heat generated inside a
hazardous material suit worn during the cleanup of a toxic chemical spill. While often
considered a summer or southern states problem, many companies need to take
precautions throughout the year regardless of where they are located.
Heat-Related Slips
The safety hazard of heat stress is overlooked partly because the accidents that result
from it are often not properly recorded. How many slips and falls does your company have
during 100-degree days? If a person trips or breaks an ankle, there may not be an

emphasis on finding out if the person was heat-stressed, but there needs to be more
awareness that the incident could have been caused by heat stress.
Monitoring the Heat
Medical screening of workers can help identify those who are more vulnerable to heat
stress, such as workers who are older, overweight or taking medications that affect their
ability to handle exertion in hot weather.
It is recommended that employers monitor hot environments by using a wet bulb
thermometer, which will provide the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). Use of WBGT is
essential, because it allows you to measure not just the air temperature, but humidity in the
air, radiant heat and wind velocity. All four factors are crucial in determining the risk of heat
stress. The level of work activity, plus the clothes and the condition of the employee, are
additional factors that must be considered. Research confirms that WBGT mirrors how hot
a person will become in any given environment. But the critical missing piece from WBGT
measurements is how hard a person is working. To determine if heat stress is a concern,
you must know the time-weighted average of the metabolic demands and the time-weighted
average of the WBGT, and compare that to the TLV table.
Cooler Climate Hazards
An additional reason heat stress may be overlooked is that many people living in regions
that normally have a cooler climate think the issue does not affect them. A persons ability
to withstand the heat is affected by whether the individual has acclimatized to high
temperatures. Thats why sudden hot spells in traditionally cooler areas may pose more
acute risks than heat in southern climates.
In addition, many employees are exposed to indoor high-heat environments and cooler
climate regions may lack proper ventilation or air conditioning because such precautions are
not normally needed.

Health: Bloodborne Pathogens

Hazard Overview: Human blood and body fluids can contain microorganismscalled
bloodborne pathogensthat can lead to disease. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens takes
place in several ways:
1. Direct blood or body fluid contact through broken skin or mucous
2. Membranes (including the mouth, nose or eyes)
3. Needlesticks

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B are two prevalent and deadly
bloodborne diseases. Others include syphilis, malaria, babesiosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis,
arboviral infections, relapsing fever and Creutzfeldt-Jakob (Mad Cow) disease.
Persons infected with HIV or Hepatitis B may not have any signs or symptoms of illness or
even know they are sick. When it comes to bloodborne pathogens, the golden rule is to
always assume that all blood and body fluids are infectious; this is called taking Universal
Precautions. Universal Precautions requires error on the side of safety rather than
exposure. Since there is currently no cure for HIV, AIDS or Hepatitis B, Universal
Precautions should always be taken. Hepatitis B can live for a week on surfaces like
countertops but HIV usually dies in minutes when exposed to air.
Potentially infectious materials include blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid,
synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental
procedures, and any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood and all body fluids in
situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids. Also
included are any unfixed tissue or organ other than intact skin from a living or dead human;
HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures; organ cultures; HIV- or hepatitis B (HBV)-containing
culture medium or other solutions as well as blood; and organs or other tissues from
experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.
Precautions: If an employee might come in contact with blood and body fluids, then an
exposure control plan should be developed, which may include the following components:
1. Exposure determination, which identifies jobs where workers face bloodborne
exposure
2. Procedures for evaluating the circumstances surrounding an exposure incident
3. A schedule of how and when other provisions of the plan should be implemented,
including methods of compliance, hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure followup, training, and recordkeeping
Universal Precautions: Treat all body fluids/materials as if they were infectious.
Engineering and administrative controls, such as safe needles, sharps disposal containers,
hand washing and disinfection should be used if possible. Decontamination practices
should be identified and disposal methods for contaminated materials (i.e., linens and
needles) addressed.
Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, face shields, splash goggles, gowns, and
one-way breather valves and breather bags for CPR, should be available. Employees
assigned to a job with exposure to blood or body fluids should have hepatitis B vaccination
made available.
Employees should be trained initially upon assignment and annually thereafter. Training
should include bloodborne diseases and their transmission, exposure control plan,
engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, hepatitis B vaccine,

response to emergencies involving blood, how to handle exposure incidents, the postexposure evaluation and follow-up program, and signs/labels/color-coding.

Narcotics Awareness on the Rig

How does the fact that your fellow crew member sniffs a little coke or pops a few pills to
get a high affect you?
Think about it! Drilling is a process where each man must be alert at all times. The job
to be done depends on each man doing his part. All must work as a team. Each has a
specific job that is interrelated with the other jobs. Each must be done on time and in the
right manner for the overall job to be accomplished. We have no substitute to send in on
the drill floor.
Now what happens when the driller hits the crown with the blocks, or the derrick man allows
the pipe to shift or miscalculates on the mud ingredients to be added, or the floorhand steps
on the rotary, catches his arm in a cathead, or puts a hand in the tongs? He may be hurt,
yes, but so might you.
You are depending on others for your safety. Surely this is reason enough for you to be
sure that person responsible for your safety is not high or depressed to the point of not
responding when you need him.
Drug prevention in the workplace provides a unique and effective opportunity to:
1. Hire and keep safer and healthier employees
2. Find help for current employees with substance abuse problems
3. Provide an assistance program for your employees to help deter future use
4. Help set community standards on substance abuse
Did you know?
1. Untreated, drug and alcohol related problems greatly affect any employers bottom
line in the form of decreased productivity and increased on-the-job accidents,
absenteeism, turnover and medical costs
2. Up to 40% of industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries can be linked to
alcohol consumption and alcoholism
3. Alcoholism alone causes an estimated 500 million lost workdays per year
4. Seven out of ten drug users are working in someones business

5. One out of four employees has a substance abuse problem or a family member that
does
Compared with the average employee, a typical drug-using employee is:
1. 2 times more likely to request early dismissal or time off
2. 5 times more likely to have absences of 8 days or more
3. 3 times more likely to be late for work
4. 6 times more likely to injure himself (herself) or another person at work
5. 5 times more likely to file workers compensation claims
6. 7 times more likely to have wage garnishments
7. 33% less productive
8. more likely to incur 300% higher medical costs
Since most of this cost is passed on to you in the form of higher health insurance premiums
or in the prices you pay for things, drug and alcohol use on the job costs you and your
fellow workers!

Fatigue Kills
You cannot fight nature, so just work with it. Our bodies work in 24-25 hour cycles of
sleeping, eating and being active. Worst time of the day is midnight to 6 AM. You are
naturally drowsy after lunchit has nothing to do with what you eat, but it may be made
worse if you eat fatty or sugary foods. Want to determine when you will be most drowsy?
Determine what time you went to bed and what time you woke up. What is the mid point?
Add 12 hours and you know when to expect a real dip in alertness. Be ready for it. Fatigue
is just as deadly on a rig as it is when driving.
Sleep Debt Is Like Money Debt you cant ignore it. More than 90% of people need
8.5-11.5 hours of sleep each night. If you miss this, you need to make it up quickly. The
good news is that you dont have to make it all upif you miss 2 hours a day for 10 days
you dont need to sleep for 20 hours to make it up. A couple of early nights may fix it.
What Makes Fatigue Worse?
Activities

Driving long distances without rest breaks

Driving through the night, the early afternoon, or at other times when your body
wants to be asleep

Driving alone on long boring roads

Repetitive tasks at work

Not getting adequate rest prior to your first hitch after days off or not getting
adequate rest during days off

Working shifts and not getting adequate rest when working night shift.

Health

Taking medication that increases sleepiness or drinking alcohol can contribute to

fatigue

People with bad sleep habits. Sleep during the day is not as effective as sleep during
the night. You need more daytime sleep to have the same effect as a good nights
sleep.

Poor diettoo many sugars and fats, not enough fresh food, eating late or
irregularly;

Dehydrationyour body needs around 8 glasses of water every day. (Not Soft
drinks, coffee, or tea).

If you do these things, then look at your habits and lifestyle to see what changes you can
make to reduce your own fatigue.
You Know You Are Fatigued When You

Cant remember the last few miles/minutes

Have disconnected thoughts, cant concentrate and keep yawning

Cant control your eyes (they keep shutting and going out of focus)

Miss traffic signs or tailgate accidentally

Have trouble keeping your head up

Keep jerking your vehicle back in lane

You mumble or mix up your words

Are irritable and easily angered

The only way to beat fatigue: Catch up on your sleep debt. Get a few early nights.
Improve your diet habits so that your blood sugar stays more constant. Get into regular
sleep and wake patterns. Understand your personal circadian rhythm and work with it
Myths about Beating Fatigue
Coffee can help you stay awake. False. Stimulants are no substitute for sleepthey just
make you feel more alert for a short time. If you are sleep-deprived, you will still have micro
sleeps even drinking coffee. Micro sleeps (nodding off) can last 3-5 seconds and can kill
you if youre driving. It takes around 30 minutes for caffeine to affect your system. Its
better to take a power nap.
I cant nap. False. Research shows that even people who say they are not tired will fall
asleep in a darkened room. If you think you cant sleep, recline the seat and lie down for 15
minutes anyway. You may be surprised. Remember to lock your doors and make sure the
vehicle is ventilated.
Fatigue It can put you to rest permanently.

Fatigue Behind the Wheel or in the

Workplace
Our society considers it unacceptable to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence
of alcohol. In many areas of the world, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
is .08 percent. At this level, drivers are considered to be impaired. Thinking and reflexes
slow down, judgment may be impaired, speech may slur, and there may be problems with
memory. Drivers in this condition should not operate, nor should they be allowed to
operate, any motor vehicle.
A recent study on the effects of lack of sleep on human performance may force us to look at
worker fatigue in the same way. Since fatigue or tiredness is so difficult to measure, the
researchers compared impairment due to sleep deprivation with alcohol-induced
impairment. While the laboratory setting may not always reflect the real world, the results
may surprise you.
Subjects were kept awake and asked to perform four tasks at hourly intervals. The tasks
judged the accuracy and speed of subjects on grammatical reasoning and vigilance tests.
Findings of the study suggest that after only 20 hours of sustained wakefulness, a person
may be as functionally impaired as someone with a BAC of .10 percent. Thats a level of
alcohol intoxication greater than the level legally permitted in many areas of the world.

The results of this study support the suggestion that even moderate levels of sustained
wakefulness reduce performance to an extent greater than is currently acceptable for
alcohol intoxication. Since approximately 50 percent of shift workers typically spend at least
24 hours awake on the first night shift of their work period, these findings have important
implications to industries involving shift work.
The results are also important for anyone working extended hours over multiple days or
weeks with inadequate periods of rest. Since sleep debt is cumulative, we can expect to
see similar performance impairments in workers fatigued due to a lack of sleep.
The Message?
Sleep deprivation needs to taken seriously since extended periods of wakefulness can
significantly impair worker performance. Most employers have company policies to deal with
alcohol and drug use. Some employers are now introducing fatigue management programs
to prevent injuries and financial losses. No one would allow an intoxicated person to operate
a motor vehicle. Perhaps its time to reconsider our attitudes towards allowing someone
who hasnt slept for the past 20 or more hours to operate a vehicle or dangerous
equipment.
Lost for words?
Sleep loss means you may have difficulty finding the words for what you want to say. Uh
uh uh .
Taking more risks?
Fatigue causes some people to take more risks as they try to avoid additional effort.
Only a few seconds?
A micro sleep, one of those naps lasting four or five seconds, is long enough for you to
travel more than the length of a football field at highway speeds.
Danger signs
If you experience any of these symptoms while driving, take them as a warning that you
could fall asleep without meaning to.

Your eyes close or go out of focus by themselves.

You have trouble keeping your head up.

You cant stop yawning.

You have wandering, disconnected thoughts.

You dont remember driving the last few miles.

You drift between lanes, tailgate or miss traffic signs.

You keep jerking the car back into the lane.

You have drifted off the road and narrowly missed crashing.

If you have even one of these symptoms, you may be in danger of falling asleep. Pull off the
road and take a nap.
Just How Sleepy Are You?

Did you get adequate sleep last night?

Did you drink alcohol heavily before going to bed last night?
How long is your shift today?
How is your general health?
Have you been up extended hours over a number of days?
Knowledge about sleep and fatigue is poor among both men and women, regardless of age
group, education or occupation, and the lack of understanding is literally killing us.
Fatigue is defined as physical or mental weariness, a temporary decrease in capacity to
operate or function after excess activity. Some refer to fatigue as a state of being tired.
The physical signs of fatigue will vary from one person to another but generally can include
tiredness, sleepiness (falling asleep when not wanting tomicro sleeps), irritability,
depression, giddiness, loss of appetite, digestive problems and increased frequency of
illness.
Fatigue may also impair your ability to perform mental or physical tasks. The impairments
can take the form of slowed reactions, failure to respond to visual or mental stimuli,
incorrect physical or mental actions, flawed logic or judgment, inability to concentrate, loss
of memory, decrease in vigilance, reduced motivation, and the worst of all from my
perspective, an increased tendency for risk-taking.
Take a brief moment to look back over these signs of fatigue and the associated
impairments. Then think of a fatigued worker carrying out jobs in our industry such as
loading holes in seismic, drilling into the formation, perforating, snubbing or hauling your
equipment and supplies on the open road. Wherever you look in our industry, the term
safety-sensitive position springs to mind and the impact of fatigue on safety looms large.

We have all experienced some degree of sleep loss and its effect on our ability to function.
This varies from person to person, but research shows that the average worker requires
between 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep per day. Anything less creates a sleep debt situation,
and sleep debt is cumulative. Just like our financial situation, sleep debt can be paid back
over time, but unlike finances, sleep cannot be saved up for a rainy day.
Even modest amounts of daily sleep lossone hour a nightwill increase a workers
tendency to fall asleep. Most workers can resist the tendency, but in the right (or wrong)
circumstances a worker could nod off with disastrous results. In cases of severe sleep
deprivation a worker can, against his/her best efforts, lapse into micro sleeps. These very
short periods of involuntary sleep are, in reality, an accident looking for a place to happen.
In those workplaces where sustained attention is necessary for safety, research has shown
that the probability of an incident occurring rises and falls with the tendency to fall asleep.
The poorest job performance consistently occurs on the night shift and the highest rate of
industrial incidents is found among shift workers. Catastrophic incidents do not happen
randomly throughout the daythey are more likely to occur when workers are most prone
to sleep, between midnight and 6 AM and between 1 and 3 PM.
Extended hours of being awake or at work can lead to fatigue. It is a problem that cannot
be dismissed on the basis of a personal problem that the worker must deal with alone. A
worker completing a 16-hour shift has been up longer than that. Testing has indicated that
an individual who has been awake for 17 hours has the same impairment as someone with
a blood alcohol level of .05 or more than 60% of the way to being legally impaired to
operate a motor vehicle. Keep that in mind when scheduling consecutive long shifts with
travel time at both ends. What quality of work can you expect and what risks are you
exposing your co-workers to?

Eating Right for Safety and Health

As we are all aware, working on a drilling rig can be hazardous, even though many steps
have been taken to provide the safest possible working environment. Following safety
policies and procedures and using proper personal protective equipment are very important
in preventing accidents. But what about eating correctly while working on a drilling rig?
Our bodies store glucose in the liver and muscles as glycogen which is vital to our daily
physical activities. During work periods the liver releases its glucose into the bloodstream,
which muscle tissue picks up and uses in addition to its own stored glycogen. The amount
of glycogen which the body stores determines how much physical activity a person will be
able to do before reaching total exhaustion. Once the point of exhaustion is reached,
accidents are more likely to occur. How do we increase stored glycogen and avoid
exhaustion? By eating a balanced diet high in complex carbohydrates.
What are carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are the prime source of energy during
exhaustive work. Carbohydrates require less oxygen than fat to provide the same amount
of energy, and are therefore more efficient, energy-producing foods. A study on food and

energy was carried out with three groups of people who were given different types of diet.
Group 1 consumed high fat and protein; Group 2 was given a normal diet; and Group 3 was
placed on a high-carbohydrate diet. Each group then rode stationary bicycles to
exhaustion. The resulting times it took them to reach exhaustion were as follows:
Group 1 (high fat & protein) 57 minutes
Group 2 (normal diet) 114 minutes
Group 3 (high carbohydrate diet) 167 minutes.
As you can see, the high carbohydrate diet of group three increased energy levels and
endurance. So how do we achieve this goal? Catering companies offer many choices or
alternatives to high fat foods at most locations. All it takes is for you to choose the right
foods.

Use low-fat or fat-free dairy products

Choose high-fiber cereal and whole-grain bread

Use light or fat free dressings

Request skinless chicken, lean meats and ham instead of bacon or sausage

Drink low-fat milk or juices, while avoiding caffeine

The complex carbohydrates you need for energy include whole grain bread and pasta,
beans, fruits and vegetables-rather than sweet rolls, donuts or cookies that provide only
short-lived energy. Spaghetti with meat sauce will be better than fried foods or steaks.
Between meals, stay away from candy and sodaseat fruit or fat-free desserts instead.
Lunch is an important meal for restoring your energy after the mornings work has been
done. Remember, what you eat before going to work will provide fuel to your muscles for
several hours. Eating right helps reduce the tired or lazy feeling that comes after a high fat
meal and lessens the chance for accidents. If you feel you cant live without them, save
high fat calories for the last meal of the day when activities are less physically demanding.
Following these simple rules of thumb can make you a healthier and safer employee. A safe
worker creates a safer work environment, which will increase morale, productivity and
reduce accident costs. Take time to choose the right foods to eat.
Remember, We are what we eat.
That Sneaky Gas: Carbon Monoxide

Talk of poor ventilation brings to mind thoughts of a stuffy closet or a spare room or attic that
has been sealed up tightly for a period of time. We think of the stale air and of how difficult

it is to breathe. When we hear about someone being poisoned, a lot of us think of

snakebite, insecticides, or spoiled food.
Theres a poison, however, that is far more common and more dangerous than the ones we
think of, and its effectiveness is closely concerned with ventilation. This poison is carbon
monoxide, and if you own a car, it travels with you wherever you drive.
Twice a year, climatic conditions force us to readjust our thoughts and habits. The crisp,
invigorating winter weather brings its own hazards. One of the most deadly is the DANGER
OF CARBON MONOXIDE GAS.
Now that cars and buildings require heat, we are continually thrown into contact with this
insidious gas. Carbon monoxide will be formed wherever coal, oil, coke, wood, gasoline,
and similar fuels are burned in the absence of sufficient oxygen.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is dangerous because it sickens and kills by cutting off the oxygen
supply from the bodys tissues. Ordinarily the oxygen you breathe is carried from your
lungs by the red cells of your blood to all parts of your body. This combination with the red
cells is very important, for just breathing oxygen into ones lungs is not enough to maintain
life. The oxygen must combine with the bloods red cells and circulate through the blood
stream and be carried to all parts of the body. If it does not, your life will be threatened.
CO can combine with red cells 200 times easier than oxygen. When oxygen and sizable
amounts of CO are breathed in together, the CO displaces the oxygen. Then you become
ill and if oxygen is completely cut off, you may even die.
Another danger is excessive warmth and lack of proper ventilation in an automobile. It has
long been suspected that poor or no ventilation is a factor in many auto accidents. There
are several ways in which inadequate ventilation can contribute to an accident: carbon
monoxide may seep into the car; warmth from the heater and body heat can steam up
windows and obscure the drivers vision; in poorly ventilated autos excessive tobacco
smoke can deposit a film on windows and thus cut down visibility; and drowsiness, the
drivers old nemesis, is usually found in very warm cars and where driving is done at night
on monotonous stretches of road.
Carbon monoxide is colorless and tasteless, and has no odor except when it is strong
enough to be fatal almost instantly. When you feel a clamp on your forehead hear the
bells tolling feel a sledge tapping your head and butterflies in your stomach think the
lights are dimming get out into the open QUICK theyre symptoms, brother!

Lightning Safety
Complacency, unfortunately, is often the norm when it comes to the publics attitude toward
lightning strikes and lightning safety issues. Basic lightning safety guidelines can and do

save lives. Following are a few simple precautions that can be taken in order to keep safe
throughout the stormy months.
Indoors:
1. Stand clear from windows, doors and electrical appliances.
2. Do not attempt to unplug TVs, stereos, computers, etc. during a storm.
3. Avoid contact with piping including sinks, baths and faucets.
4. Do not use the telephone except for emergencies.
Outdoors:
1. Look for a shelter equipped with a lightning protection system.
2. Never use a tree as a shelter.
3. Avoid areas that are higher than the surrounding landscape.
4. Keep away from metal objects including bikes, golf carts, fencing, machinery, etc.
5. Avoid standing near tall objects.
6. Immediately get out and away from pools, lakes and other bodies of water.
7. If youre in a crowdspread out.
8. If you feel a tingling sensation, or your hair stands on end, lightning may be about to
strike! Immediately crouch down and cover your ears. Do not lie down or place your
hands on the ground.
9. Victims of lightning strikes should be administered CPR immediately.
Rig equipment can be protected from lightning strikes by grounding the equipment. Rig
equipment grounding can be accomplished by the use of cable and driven electrodes. The
derrick (mast) substructure, metal buildings, toolpusher and or crew bunk house (trailer
house), stationary electrical equipment, fuel tanks, and other equipment around the rig
where electrical equipment should be grounded. Grounding can be accomplished by the
following actions:
1. A ground rod driven in the ground and attached to the skid(s) by a conductor. The
rod should be driven as close as possible to the low wet areas to achieve desired
grounding. They should be at least eight feet (2.4 meters) long and (1.9cm) in
diameter. If rock is encountered the rod can be driven in at 45 degrees from
vertical. At times the ground can be too hard to drive a rod in. In this case the rod

can be buried in a trench that is at least 30 inches (76.2 CM) deep and cover with
3/32 layer of salt then back fill with native dirt.
2. A ground (earth) rod should be driven at each building (toolpusher house, crew bunk
house, generator house, etc.). Some companies drive a ground rod at the
substructure. If there is concern about the ground connections between the
equipment skids and generator house, additional ground rods may be necessary.
3. The use of bare copper conductor or braided wire, sized not less than 2/0 AWG
connected between all electric motors and the building or skid. All buildings or skids
should be interconnected with the same size connector.
4. Bond all skids and auxiliary equipment together to form a loop type system,
whenever possible, so that the continuity of the grounding circuit will be maintained
even if one conductor is severed.
5. Grounding connections on skids should be rust-proof (stainless steel bolts are
recommended).
Rig crew personnel should ensure that the grounding connections are attached and
checked periodically while on location.

Windstorm Safety Rules

Windstorms are one of the biggest problems in every part of the country, and hurricanes are
a particular menace in coastal areas. Here are a few safety precautions that can be taken
with regard to windstorms:

Have a good flashlight and first aid kit readily available.

Be careful of fire. If oil lamps or candles must be used for emergency lighting, use
them carefully.

A fire extinguisher, kept handy, is a good idea.

Keep tools and repair materials handyhammer, nails, rope, crowbar, roofing paper,
slats and so on.

Have extra food on handfood that can be eaten with little or no cooking.
Remember that electric power failure may leave you with no refrigeration.

Emergency cooking facilities should be in safe working condition.

Sterilize and fill jugs, bottles or cooking utensils with fresh water.

The water supply may fail. A tub filled with water may also be useful.

Tornadoes
There is no universal protection against tornadoes except caves or underground
excavations. When a tornado is impending and time permits, go to a tornado cellar, cave,
or underground excavation, which should have an air outlet to help equalize the air
pressure. It should be kept fit for use, free from water, gas, or debris, and preferably
equipped with pick and shovel.
If your rig operates in a tornado-prone area, learn your companys emergency action plan
before the storm season begins. Because of the varied designs and structure of land rigs it
is not possible to designate a safe building (structure) on the rig to go to. If a storm
approaches, crewmen should leave the derrick and rig floor and move to a heavy strong
structure of the rig that your company has designated to wait out the storm.
If you are in the open country, move at right angles to the tornados path. Tornadoes usually
move ahead at about 25 to 40 miles per hour. If there is no time to escape, lie flat in the
nearest depression such as a ditch or ravine.
In a city or town, seek inside shelter, preferably in a steel reinforced building. STAY AWAY
FROM WINDOWS. In homes, the southwest corner of the lowest floor or in the basement
offers greatest safety. If time permits, electricity and fuel lines should be shut off. Windows
and doors on the north and east sides of the house should be opened to help reduce
damage to the building. Standing against the inside wall on a lower floor of an office
building offers some protection.
Hurricanes/Cyclones
It is common practice for offshore rigs to evacuate personnel when hurricanes are
approaching. Follow your companys Hurricane/Cyclone Evacuation procedures. There are
two main issues of safety when a hurricane approaches. First of all are your safety and the
safety of your co-workers. Second is the safety of the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit, land rig
or base. Follow the companys plan for securing the rig (MODU) then evacuate the rig
(MODU) as directed.
If your house is out of danger of waves and is substantially builtanchored to strong
foundations and has its roof securely fastenedit is possibly the best place for you to stay
in a hurricane.
One or more windows may be kept open on the opposite side to provide the winds path
some ventilation and to prevent wind damage. Only small openings are advisable as long
as the windward side remains intact. But if windows should be broken on the windward
side, additional openings should be provided on the opposite side to equalize pressure.
Working in the Heat

Although hot work environments are common, they are not insignificant. In some
areas of the world, workers face extreme heat almost all year. Hot conditions can also exist
in confined spaces, boiler rooms, engine rooms and when workers wear protective clothing.
While heat is indicated directly by a thermometer, a more complete picture includes air
temperature, radiant heat sources, air speed, humidity, direct contact with hot objects and
heat created by strenuous physical activities.
Worker variables to consider include age, weight, physical fitness, extent of acclimatization,
metabolism, alcohol or drug use, and medical conditions. Prior heat injury and worker
clothing can also worsen heat conditions.
The only way the body cools itself is by getting rid of excess heat through sweating. When
sweating cant occur, the body stores heat which causes the body core temperature to rise
and the heart rate to increase. A person overly taxed by heat may experience fainting
(HEAT SYNCOPE) and/or HEAT CRAMPS. Heat cramps can occur in the legs and arms as
well as in the abdomen. If left uncorrected, the condition will progress to HEAT
EXHAUSTION where the body temperature continues to rise and the victim may experience
inability to concentrate; irritability; weakness; giddiness; nausea or vomiting; fainting;
headache; dizziness; and perhaps lack of thirst. People suffering from heat exhaustion may
be too confused to recognize their own danger.
The last stage of heat exposure is HEAT STROKEa true medical emergency. A person
suffering heat stroke will die unless removed from the heat, cooled and treated. The
primary signs and symptoms of heat stroke are confusion; irrational behavior; loss of
consciousness; convulsions; a lack of sweating (usually); hot, dry skin; and high body
temperature.
HEAT RASH and HEAT FATIGUE are the most common problems in hot work
environments. Heat rash or prickly heat is red skin papules usually appearing in areas
where clothing is restrictive and skin is persistently wetted by unevaporated sweat. While
the affected areas may become infected if not treated, most heat rashes disappear after
exposure stops. HEAT FATIGUE is usually due to lack of acclimatization and training. Heat
fatigue can result in impaired performance of skilled sensory motor, mental, or vigilance
jobs.
Precautions: A successful heat stress prevention program includes training, monitoring,
workplace evaluation and exposure controls. Workers need to be acclimated or used to
working in hot conditions because to a certain extent the human body can adapt to heat.
Conversely, workers not acclimated and thrust into hot environments are less able to
physically cope.
New workers and workers returning from vacation or other breaks from the heat require
special attention until re-acclimated.

Basic worker training should include information on the signs and symptoms of heat
illnesses, prevention and first aid treatment.
Supervisory training should include basic worker training plus work load assessment;
establishing cool/rest periods; and heat stress monitoring. The effect of protective clothing, if
worn, should be discussed. All workers need to understand the importance of maintaining
fluid and electrolyte balance.
Engineering controls may include general ventilation; shade; spot cooling; local exhaust
ventilation at points of high heat production; and heat shielding. Administrative
controls may include reducing physical effort and taking adequate rest breaks in a cool
area. When possible, work should be scheduled around peak heat periods. Water and
electrolyte replacement drinks should be available and cooling vests or other protective
clothing may be necessary. Worker fitness should be initially and regularly evaluated.

Keep Warm This Winter

When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may
occur, and permanent tissue damage and death may result. Hypothermia can occur when
land temperatures are above freezing or water temperatures are below 98.6F. Cold-related
illnesses can slowly overcome a person who has been chilled by low temperatures, brisk
winds, or wet clothing.
What Happens to the Body

Freezing occurs in deep layers of skin and tissue.

Skin color becomes pale, waxy-white.

Skin becomes hard and numb.

Usually affects the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, and nose first.

What Should Be Done

Move the person to a warm, dry area. Dont leave the person alone.

Remove any wet or tight clothing that may cut off blood flow to the affected area.

Do not rub the affected area, because rubbing causes damage to the skin and
tissue.

Gently place the affected area in a warm (105 degrees F) water bath and monitor the
water temperature to slowly warm the tissue. Dont pour warm water directly on the

affected area because it will warm the tissue too fast causing tissue damage.
Warming takes about 25-40 minutes.

After the affected area has been warmed, it may become puffy and blister. The
affected area may have a burning feeling or numbness. When normal feeling,
movement, and skin color have returned, the affected area should be dried and
wrapped to keep it warm. NOTE: If there is a chance the affected area may get cold
again, do not warm the skin. If the skin is warmed and then becomes cold again,
severe tissue damage can result.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Other Concerns for Workers in Cold Environments

Employees working in cold environments must wear additional clothing, which can
restrict movement and increase the force they must exert when performing lifting
operations. Additionally, employees burn more energy in these environments to keep
warm, so fatigue may occur more rapidly, which increases the risk of injury. Cold
areas may also have ice forming on work surfaces where slipping can cause injury or
strain, especially if a load is being carried when the slip occurs.

Provide warm clothing that fits properly and does not hinder movement.

Provide adequate periods of rest so employees can recuperate.

Rotate employees to less stressful conditions.

Maintain areas and equipment to minimize slipping

As winter approaches, take a few minutes to review these cold weather safety tips and get
prepared. Prolonged exposure to freezing or cold temperatures can result in serious health
problems such as trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia. Extreme exposure, including coldwater immersion, can result in death.
Danger signs include uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements, fatigue
and confused behavior. If these signs are observed, call for emergency help.
Tips on How to Protect Yourself

Recognize environmental and workplace conditions that can be dangerous.

Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses/injuries and what to do

should they occur.

Learn about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.

Wear proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions, including layers for
changing conditions.

Take frequent, short breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow the body to warm up.

Try to schedule work for the warmest part of the day.

Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.

Use the buddy system work in pairs so that one worker can recognize danger
signs.

Drink warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks) and avoid drinks with
caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas or hot chocolate) or alcohol.

Eat warm, high-calorie foods such as hot pasta dishes.

Remember, you face increased risks when you take certain medications, are in poor
physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension or
cardiovascular disease.

Personal Protective Equipment Safety Meeting Topics

To Wear or Not to Wear a Hard Hat

The human brain relies on the skull to protect it from damage. But in spite this protection,
the human skull was not designed to withstand hard knocks and falling objects of all shapes
and sizes. Most individuals in the oil field recognize this fact and take steps to obtain the
necessary protection in the form of a safety hat. Many are the headaches and lives that
have been spared because of the wisdom shown by these people. Records show that time
and again employees have avoided serious and sometimes fatal injuries because they were
wearing their safety hats.
It seems hardly credible, however, that accidents resulting in painful head injuries continue
to take place because the employees involved are not wearing safety hats. Apparently
these people must believe that they are immune to the obvious dangers to which they
expose themselves. They continue to ignore the lessons learned by their fellow workers
and offer a variety of excuses. Too hot, too cold, too heavy and uncomfortable are but a
few. Just how uncomfortable is a hole in the head, one might ask? Better be glad you did
rather than wish you had when it comes to the question of to wear or not to wear a safety
hat.

Hard hats give protection against blows through a combination of four factors: (a) when an
object strikes the hat, the material itself resists the impact; (b) because of the hats shape,
the force of the blow is distributed over its entire area; (c) the suspension acts as a shock
absorber; and (d) the hat is able to deform (dent) and displace, or roll with the punch,
further softening the blow. The net result is that most blows never reach the head itself, and
those which do reach the head have had a great deal of their force or energy dissipated by
the hard hat.
The ability of an object to withstand impact without breaking depends to a large extent on its
ability to roll with the punch. In all types of hard hats, the hard shell is held away from
direct contact with the head by some system of suspension, which provides for space
between the shell and the crown straps.
Most hard hat manufacturers include a stamp showing the date of manufacture, but while
this tells you the age of the hat, it does not guarantee that a new hard hat is automatically
safe for use.
Many people dont realize that hard hats, both the shell and suspension, need to be
inspected not only during assembly, but also before each use. To inspect the shell of a hard
hat, look for cracks, nicks, gouges, dents or damage caused by impact, penetration or
abrasions. If the hat is made of polyethylene or polycarbonate it should also be checked for
stiffness, brittleness, fading dull color or a chalky appearance. If the shell shows any of
these traits, it should be removed from service immediately and replaced.
The suspension of the hard hat should be free of cracks or tears and the suspension straps
free of any cuts or fraying. The suspension should be pliable and show no other signs of
wear. All points in the suspension should fit tightly in their respective slots. If any of these
signs of wear appear, the suspension should be replaced with one appropriate for that shell.
Here are some additional hard hat tips:
1. Never drill ventilation holes in a hard hat.
2. Do not alter the shell or suspension in any way.
3. Do not wear or carry anything in between the shell and the suspension of your hard
hat.
4. Only use a suspension that is made specifically for the shell. Hard hats should never
be worn on top of everyday hats or caps (with the exception of winter liners made
specifically for the hat) since they interfere with or eliminate the shock absorbing
effect of the suspension.
5. Hard hats should be replaced every five years. Hard hats exposed to heat or
ultraviolet light may need to be replaced every two years. Never store hard hats in
the back window of a vehicle or other place where it is exposed to ultraviolet light.

6. Keep coverage with stickers to a minimum so the hard hat can still be seen and
inspected.
7. Hard hats can only be worn backwards if the manufacturer states explicitly
that the hat has been tested and passed in that manner and that the
suspension is positioned as required by that test.
8. If a hard hat has been dropped more than 8 to10 feet or has been struck forcibly, it
should be replaced immediately.
Taking Care of Your Hard Hat

The hard hat is one of the oldest, most widely used, and most important pieces of personal
protective equipment (PPE) on the job. So why is it so often misused and abused? Theres
no question that many workers have been saved from serious injury or even death because
they were wearing a hard hat. Even with the best intentions, the effectiveness of any PPE
on the job is limited when the product is not properly worn, maintained, and replaced when
needed. The following are general guidelines that may be used, but it is important that you
follow the manufacturers recommendations for use and inspection of hard hats. The hard
hat consists of two components: the shell and the suspension. Both require inspection
during assembly and before each use.
General inspection of the shell: During shell inspection, you should look for cracks,
nicks, dents, gouges, and any damage caused by impact, penetration, abrasions, or rough
treatment. Additionally, if your hard hat is made of thermoplastic (polyethylene,
polycarbonate) materials, inspect the shell for the following: stiffness, brittleness, fading,
dullness of color, or a chalky appearance. If the shell exhibits any of these conditions or if it
is obviously otherwise damaged, it should be removed from service and replaced
immediately.
Inspecting for effects of UV exposure the plastic hard hats worst enemy: Although
ultraviolet inhibitors are added to some manufacturers hard hat shells, all hard hats are
susceptible to deterioration from UV exposure. This is why it is so important that you never
store your hard hat in the rear window of a vehicle, or anywhere that it is exposed to
sunlight when not in use. If the work environment exposes the worker and hard hat to high
levels of sunlight, the hat should be replaced more frequently. It is critical to monitor hard
hat color stability during prolonged daylight exposure. High-visibility colored hard hats used
outdoors should be monitored closely. Replace hard hats as soon as fading is evident to
ensure continued worker visibility and safety.
Field testing for degraded shells: A simple field test to determine possible degradation of
polyethylene shells can be performed. Compress the shell inward from the sides about 1
inch with both hands, then release the pressure without dropping the shell. The shell
should quickly return to its original shape, exhibiting elasticity. There should be no residual
deformation. Compare the elasticity of the sample with that of a new shell. If the sample

does not exhibit elasticity similar to that of a new shell, or if it cracks because of brittleness,
it should be replaced immediately.
Inspecting your hard hats suspension: The main purpose of a hard hats suspension is
to absorb the shock of a blow to the top of the hard hat. Considering this, inspection of the
hard hat suspension system is equally as important as inspecting the shell. The suspension
should be inspected closely for cracks or tears, frayed or cut straps, loss of pliability, or
other signs of wear. Whether your hard hat has a 4-point or 6-point suspension (the
number of keys that are engaged in the hard hats shell), all keys should fit tightly and
securely into their respective key slots. Refer to the manufacturers instructions on
assembling. Any suspension that shows signs of damage should be removed from service
and replaced immediately to ensure ongoing protection of the wearer.
Replacement program: Hard hats have a reasonable service life when used in normal
work environments and properly maintained. However, useful life is not indefinite and there
are some recommended guidelines for hard hat replacement. Employees should consider
replacing hard hats every five years, regardless of outward appearance. If the
environment is known to include higher exposure to temperature extremes, sunlight,
or chemicals, hard hats should be replaced routinely after two years of use. Most
hard hats have manufacture date codes molded on the underside brim of the cap so you
can easily determine the age of the cap. Regardless of length of use, if a forcible blow
of any magnitude has struck a hard hat, the shell and suspension should be replaced
immediately, even if no damage is visible. Dropping a hard hat more than eight to ten
feet warrants a replacement. Dont take a chance that it might be okay, because its not
worth the risk. Hard hats are designed to provide optimal protection under normal
conditions. Any impact can substantially reduce the protection offered.

Hard Hat Warnings and Precautions

1. Never alter or modify the hard hat shell or suspension. This can drastically reduce
the amount of protection provided. Drilling holes in the hard hat shell for ventilation
purposes must be prohibited at all times.
2. Always avoid contact of the hard hat with electrical wires.
3. Never use a suspension that is not intended for use with a particular shell or one that
is made by a different manufacturer.
4. Never carry or wear anything inside of your hard hat between the suspension and
the shell. A clearance must be maintained between the hard hat shell and the
wearers head for the protection system to work properly. A ball cap or other object
may limit this clearance. An object placed under the cap may also contain metal
parts that may diminish the dielectric protection provided by the hat. There are some
products, such as winter liners and sunshades that are designed specifically to work

in conjunction with hard hats. Be sure to follow manufacturers recommendations for

the use of these products.
Use of adhesive stickers: It has become a common practice for hard hat users to apply
self-adhesive stickers to personalize their hard hats or for other marking or identification
purposes. Considering the type of adhesive used in typical pressure-sensitive stickers,
there is very little potential for chemical interaction between the adhesive and the helmet
shell. As a result, the use of stickers would not be expected to negatively affect the
performance of the helmet under normal conditions. Stickers wont harm the hard hats
performance under normal conditions, but limit their use so the helmet shell can be
inspected for signs of damage regularly.
There are a couple of rules to follow related to stickers.
First, adhesive stickers should be placed at least 3/4 inch away from the edge of the
helmet. This prevents the possibility of the stickers acting as a conductor between the
outside and inside of the shell if it were to wrap around the brim.
Second, the area of the helmet covered by stickers should be kept to a practical minimum
to permit regular inspection of the helmet shell for signs of damage.
Hard hats worn backward: Prior to allowing employees to wear their hats backward,
always get written verification from the hard hat manufacturer on whether your hard hat
model has been tested and found to be compliant to the requirements of the American
National Standards Institute standard when worn with the bill turned to the rear. The
manufacturer may specify that proper performance requires the suspension to be reversed
in the helmet, so that the headband is oriented normally to the wearers head (i.e., with the
brow pad against the forehead and the extended nape strap at the base of the skull). In this
manner, only the shell of the helmet is positioned backward on the head.
Hard hats are designed to provide optimal protection under normal conditions. Any
impact can substantially reduce the protection offered.

Personal Protective Equipment Safety Meeting Topics

Selecting the Proper Eyewear Lens

Every day eye injuries occur in workplaces across our industry. In nearly three out of five of
these injuries, the injured person is either not wearing eye protection, or wearing eye
protection that is inappropriate for the task.
Selecting protective eyewear to match the task greatly lowers the risk of injury. What may
come as a surprise to some is how important a consideration for lens color can be. Some
working conditions require a specific tint to reduce eyestrain. The wrong lens tint can result

in eye fatigue that, at best, is an inconvenience and may have a negative impact on
productivity, and at worst, can result in injury.
Eyestrain and the inconvenience associated with it is one of the chief reasons that workers
remove protective eyewear. Naturally, this increases the chances for eye injuries. Keeping
eyes safe depends not just on using eye protection, but also on using the correct eye
protection.
The following definitions of common lenses should help you to match eye protection to the
environment and the task.
Clearthe most commonly used lens. Clear polycarbonate lenses will absorb 99.9% of UV
radiation up to 385 nm. They should be used in normal indoor light conditions.
Amberactual lens color can vary from yellow to orange. They can be used indoors and
should be considered for enhancing contrast for work in low light; a good example would be
parts sorting where light levels are low and contrast is needed to reduce eyestrain. Amber
lenses will absorb 99.9% UV radiation up to 400 nm but are not recommended for wear on
in bright sunlight.
Standard Graythese lenses are recommended for outdoor work where sunlight and glare
can cause eyestrain and eye fatigue. Outdoor lens colors vary from brown, to gray to dark
gray shades and will include mirrored lenses. Standard gray lenses absorb 99.9% of UV
radiation up to 400 nm.
Indoor/Outdoorthe recently introduced 50/50, or indoor/outdoor lens shades tend to be
clearer with a slight grayish tint, and can incorporate a slight mirror to the exterior of the
lens. This type of lens shade should be considered for jobs such as shipping and receiving
that require regular movement between inside and outside. These lenses do not work as
sunglasses and should not be used for sustained outdoor tasks. They will reduce eyestrain
from the glare of the sun, though not as effectively as standard gray lenses, but the
convenience of not needing to change lenses or eyewear makes them an attractive option.
UV protection is 99.9% up to 400nm.
Vermillion Lensesdistinguishable by their pink/red color, these lenses should be
considered for enhancing contrast in inspection areas, or reducing eye fatigue and glare
from fluorescent and halogen lighting.
Blue Lenseslenses should be selected where work areas contribute high levels of yellow
light, such as semiconductor facilities that use sodium vapor lighting.
Cobalt Lensesthese lenses provide infrared radiation protection, absorbing up to 70% of
infrared from 780 nm to 2000 nm.

Proper eye protection can help to control specific impact hazards, reduce eyestrain and
enhance productivity.

Hearing Conservation
Work-related hearing loss threatens hundreds of thousands of workers. In addition to
hearing impairment, noise can cause other effectsit can startle, irritate, disrupt
concentration and sleep, and increase stress. By increasing stress, noise can contribute to
circulatory problems and heart attacks. Noise interferes with communication and can mask
warning sounds like back-up alarms on a construction site or an evacuation signal in a
factory.
Exposure to sudden and intense noise, like an explosion or nearby siren, can cause
immediate damage and pain ranging from a ringing in the ears to hearing loss. Hearing loss
depends on the duration of noise exposure, the level of noise and the susceptibility of the
individual. Several studies show that exposure to certain chemicals may increase noiseinduced hearing loss. Age, disease, some drugs and previous exposures also affect
hearing. A person can experience permanent hearing loss without ever suffering pain in the
ears. Permanent hearing loss caused by excessive exposure to noise cannot be repaired.
While the permissible exposure limit is 90 decibels (dBA) averaged over an 8-hour time
period (TWA) NIOSH has recommended an 8-hour exposure limit of 85 dBA-TWA.
Precautions
Noise can be controlled three ways:
1. Reduce the amount of noise released at the source. Most noise problems have
several practical and efficient engineering control options. Reducing force, speed,
vibration and friction reduces noise. For example: mount stationary machinery on
vibration-absorbing pads, maintain belts and fans so they function properly, and
enclose sources with sound-absorbing material. Processes may be substituted.
2. Reduce noise by changing the path between the source and the ear. For
example, increase the distance from the source and decrease noise reflection from
the walls and ceilings.
3. Reduce noise at the ear. This can be done with personal protection (earplugs or
muffs), or by isolating the worker in an enclosure lined with sound-absorbing
material. Job rotation to reduce exposure time can also contribute to noise control.
An effective hearing conservation program includes noise monitoring, worker training, and
signs posted to indicate high noise areas.
Earmuffs or plugs should be available to all workers exposed above 85 dBATWA. Hearing
protectors must be properly fitted to work.

Earmuffs and plugs are labeled with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) that states how many
decibels the muff or plug absorbs. A poorly understood fact is that NRRs are established in
a laboratory environment and not in a real workplace, where fit is less than perfect. It has
been found that actual worker fit affects the listed NRR so much that it recommends
subtracting 25% from the NRR for earmuffs, 50% for formable earplugs, and 70% for all
other earplugs. The NRR should not be relied upon as listed on the ear protector unless
they are adjusted and properly fit the wearer.

Hand Protection
Almost all jobs require use of the hands. Driving, typing, building, and even reading a book
involves the hands. Hands are often the most exposed body part. Drilling industry accident
statistics show that the hands and fingers are the most often injured part of the body.
Threats to the hands include: caught between and struck by, chemicals, vibration, heat,
cuts, bruises, breaks, burns, punctures, amputations, cold, and infectious or biological
agents. If left unprotected, the hands offer a significant route of entry to the body because
they can have such extensive and direct contact with hazardous agents.
Precautions: Hazards should be reviewed to determine if implementing engineering and
administrative controls can eliminate them. When these two options are not sufficient or
feasible, personal protective equipment (PPE) may be used instead. After thoroughly
analyzing the workplace for hazardous exposures and determining the need for PPE, a PPE
program should be established that includes:
1. Hazard analysis and why PPE is the best control measure
2. How it is selected, maintained and its use evaluated
3. Training of employees
4. Program review for effectiveness in preventing employee injury or illness
Gloves are available that protect hands against skin absorption of harmful substances such
as: cuts, abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns and temperature extremes.
Special multi-layered gloves can protect against several chemicals because they are made
of individual layers of different materials that are resistant to different chemicals. Chemicalresistant gloves can be worn over cut-resistant gloves. Leather gloves can be worn over
chemical-resistant glove liners. Cotton glove liners can be worn under impervious gloves to
absorb sweat and increase comfort in hot environments or to insulate the hands in cold
environments.
Depending on the hazard, hands can be shielded by one or more of the following:
1. Cotton work gloves for general rig use

2. Dielectric rubber gloves for electrical hazards (must be tested regularly for dielectric
strength)
3. Leather gloves for sparks, heat, chips, and handling rough objects
4. Welding gloves for welding and foundry gloves for foundry work
5. Heat-resistant gloves for burn protection
6. Metal mesh gloves for cut protection
7. Water resistant gloves for wet environments
8. Impervious materials such as rubber, neoprene, nitrile, PVC and vinyl gloves to
handle chemicals or infectious agents (always check to determine which polymer is
most resistant to the specific chemicals handled)
Gloves need to provide enough dexterity to perform work safely and efficiently. Some glove
materials stiffen in cold weather and can hinder dexterity. Where great dexterity is not
required and workers need both chemical and cut protection, supported polymer gloves
may be the best choice since they are comfortable and durable. Supported polymer gloves
have a cotton liner reinforcing an outer polymer lattice.
Gloves that are too big can make hazards worse by increasing the likelihood that the wearer
will get caught on something, drop something or work slowly or unsuccessfully. Finally, the
grip should be considered when selecting gloves.

Foot Protection
In the drilling industry there are numerous hazards that may lead to foot injuries. Many
heavy items such as pump liners, driller collar lift subs as well as chemical such as caustic
and acids are present at the rig site. Workers need to wear the proper foot protection to
protect their feet from injury from such hazards as:
1. Temperature Extremes. Toes and feet often suffer frostbite in cold temperatures
and trench foot in wet environments. In area of extreme heat conditions, heat
resistant footwear may be required.
2. The most common hazard on drilling rigs. Heavy objects can drop onto or roll over
feet. Without proper foot protection, toes can be severely stubbed and require
medical attention.
3. Acids, corrosive, or toxic chemicals in direct contact with feet can cause immediate
damage and possible systemic effects.

4. Poisonous and infectious substances. Without proper protection, feet can be a

route of entry.
5. Feet can be punctured by nails or other sharp or protruding objects.
6. Strains, sprains and breaks. Slip, trip and fall hazards and slippery or uneven work
surfaces result in many foot injuries where workers have inadequate protection.
7. Workers have been electrocuted by electricity entering the body through the feet.
Accumulated static electricity can cause explosions, fires and process problems.
Precautions: When addressing any hazard, the best option is to re-design or change the
work environment to avoid exposure. When that is not possible, hazards can be controlled
by wearing personal protective equipment like safety shoes. Where there is danger of foot
injury, employers can provide appropriate protective footwear after performing a thorough
hazard assessment and providing employee training. Shoes should be comfortable as well
as protective.
1. When slip, trip and fall hazards cannot be eliminated, footwear with adequate grip
can offer increased traction. Like tires, different shoe soles are available.
2. Slip- or oil-resistant soles are appropriate for wet or oily environments.
3. Special heat-resistant soles are available.
4. Chemical hazards require special attention. Footwear should be selected that is
most resistant to the specific exposures. A wide range of materials are available,
such as neoprene and nitrile that offer resistance to chemicals.
5. Neoprene and vinyl are useful against many petroleum products. For dual protection,
chemical resistant over-booties may be worn over steel-toe boots or chemically
resistant steel toe footwear may be worn.
6. Workers exposed to foot crushing hazards require steel toe footwear and may
require metatarsal protection. Metatarsal protection is warranted when operations
involve heavy materials that could be dropped onto the foot above the toecap.
7. Puncture-resistant footwear is available for workers exposed to objects such as
nails, glass or sharp metal.
8. Electrical hazard footwear is nonconductive and designed to reduce the potential for
electric shock under certain conditions.
9. Conductive footwear helps to discharge static electricity from the body through the
shoes and into grounded floors. Conductive footwear should not be worn near
exposed electrical circuits. Electro-static dissipative footwear reduces static
electricity by conducting the body charge to the ground, but still offers some
electrical resistance.

Work Clothes as Protective Equipment

Every workplace has hazards, ranging from the possibility of fire or explosion, exposure to
toxic chemicals, to being scratched or scraped by rough or jagged materials. Luckily, there
is protective clothing designed to protect you against from the hazard you can encounter on
the job. But protective clothing doesnt eliminate a hazard; it protects you from the hazard
IF you:
1. Select the right clothing for the hazard
2. Make sure the clothing fits properly
3. Wear the clothing when you might be exposed to the hazard
4. Maintain the clothing so that it can do its job.
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the hazards that require protective clothing?
2. What kind of clothing do you use to protect against corrosives?
3. What kind of clothing do you use to protect against heat or fire?
4. What kind of clothing do you use to protect against toxic chemicals?
5. Where do you look to determine what protection you need for a specific hazardous
substance?
6. What are some precautions to follow when youre wearing regular work clothes?
7. What do you do before put on protective clothing?
8. What do you look for?
Protective clothing is an essential part of your on-the-job safety. The company has made a
substantial investment in clothing that will protect you from hazards you encounter on the
job, and youve received a lot of training on this subject.
But none of that will do any good unless you:
1. Wear protective clothing for any job that involves hazards
2. Be sure you are wearing the right clothing that will protect you from that hazard
3. Inspect clothing carefully before putting it on.

4. Remove clothing carefully to prevent contamination.

CLEAN, well-designed work garments in top conditionfree from rips, tears, missing
buttons or other defectscan reduce accidents.
Built-in hazards in work clothing may be waiting traps for the unwary in moments of
carelessness or emergency. Many such hazards are commonplace and may not be
recognized as dangerous.
1. Dirty work clothing, for example, is more than an eyesore. It breeds accident and
health hazards. Dirty or oil-soaked work garments often cause skin rashes, irritation,
and other forms of dermatitis.
2. Missing buttons are another accident hazard, which may not be recognized as
such. If a workman has lost a button on the cuff of his shirt sleeve, the dangling cuff
may easily get caught in the jaws of moving machinery and drag the wearer in after
it.
3. Tears and rips in work clothing are also potential causes of accidents.
4. Cuffs on trousers are dangerous, since they can also catch on projections and
cause crippling falls.
5. Oil or chemical-soaked clothing (or clothing soaked with any flammable material)
can easily lead to dermatitis or fatal burns.
6. Floppy pockets, torn sleeves, and other such items of clothing are hazardous on at
least two counts: loose or dangling ends may catch in moving machinery, and they
may get caught on something and cause a fall.
7. Defective, poorly designed, loose or ill-fitting clothing should not be worn to
work.
8. Loose belts, dangling ties, and fancy or ill-designed clothing.
Protective clothing. Under conditions indicating their use, flameproof, acid or fire-resistant
garments and safety shoes are indispensable aids to safety.

Hints on Operation of the Personnel Net

To function properly and safely, the personnel net needs only a little simple cooperation
from the crane operator, boat skipper, a person deck, and the passengers. If the net is
operated properly, it is as safe as climbing the stairs in your home.

1. All persons riding the net will wear life preservers fully fastened.
2. Not more than 4 persons should ride the net at one time. (Note: Some personnel
nets are designed for 6, 8, or 12 persons).
3. In rough seas or when the boat has limited deck space, two persons should be the
maximum load.
4. Injured, ill, or persons who lack confidence in their ability, may ride inside the nettype personnel carrier. A person experienced in personnel transfer procedures
should escort the person.
5. The crane operator may refuse to lift any person who does not comply with the
operators instructions.
6. The crane operator should operate his crane as smoothly as possible at all times.
This precludes any fast lift-off from the deck.
7. Personnel, when boarding the net from the boat deck, should have a firm grip on the
net lines, preferably an arm stuck through a square in the rope netting. In extreme
rough weather, on lift-off there is always a chance of a sudden jerk when the load
cable becomes taut, and as the boat falls away from net. Personnel should be
prepared for such jerks and have an extra firm grip on the ropes.

Individuals should be instructed to stand on the outer rim, evenly spaced, and
adjacent to a sidewall opening in the netting, facing inward.

Passenger forearms should be interlocked on the inside of the sidewall

netting.

In preparation for lifting off the deck, personnel should have one foot firmly
placed on the basket rim and the other foot on the deck of the boat (facility) for
stability.

As the crane operator begins to hoist the net type personnel carrier,
passengers step off the deck and place both feet firmly on the outer rim.

As the net-type personnel carrier nears the deck, personnel should bend their
knees slightly and be prepared to step off.

8. At no time will heavy items such as toolboxes, machine parts, etc. be carried in the
net while passengers are being transferred. Only a limited amount of light personal
luggage should be permitted inside the carrier when personnel are being
transferred. Should there be any doubt about what is light a cargo basket should
be used to transfer the material.

9. When departing from the platform, the net will not be lowered directly over the boat.
Lower the net over the water to a position slightly above deck level and then swing
the boom or maneuver the boat until the net is hanging over the landing area, and
lower the net to the deck. When departing from the boat, reverse the above
procedure.
10. When a net with passengers is nearing the deck, one or more persons on the boat
should steady the net and guide it to the deck.
11. The greatest hazard that has been encountered by crew boat personnel is the
fouling of the net by foreign objects on the aft deck. The deck should be as clean as
possible during a personnel net lift operation.
12. The personnel net is not to be used as a cargo netpersonnel and baggage only.
13. When not in use, store the net where it will not be damaged

Face Protection
The eyes and face are subject to injury from many kinds of hazards in all types of industries.
Cuts, burns, rashes, blindness and scarring can result from flying particles, molten metal,
extreme heat or cold, and chemical contact.
Biological hazards such as splashing or splattering of body fluids can cause infection
when contact is made with the eye or face.
Dust and particulate matter can travel long distances with enough force to damage the
face and eyes.
Electromagnetic hazards are present when welding, brazing, cutting and torching; visible
light, ultraviolet radiation and infrared radiation require careful selection of face protection as
does ionizing radiation.
Impact hazards can be found during grinding, chipping, machining, replacing tong dies,
cutting the drilling line and other times when a hammer is used to strike something.
Chemical hazards exist when handling liquids or solids, such as when measuring, pouring,
mixing drilling mud chemicals or cleaning mud handling equipment.
Thermal hazards such as hot sparks from welding or cutting, and fire and freezing
temperatures are all exposures that can seriously damage the face.
Precautions: When hazards cannot otherwise be eliminated or controlled, personal
protective equipment such as face shields and eye protection should be utilized.

The workplace should be analyzed for hazardous exposures. Upon determining the need
for PPE, a written PPE program should be written include the following:
1. Hazard analysis and description of why PPE is the best control measure; how
PPE is selected, maintained and how its use is evaluated.
2. Training of employees and program review for effectiveness in preventing
employee injury or illness.
3. Properly maintained equipment and guarding can effectively minimize eye and
face hazards.
4. Wherever possible, permanent enclosures or system guarding should be
installed rather than relying on face shields.
5. When personal protection is required, posting signs can help notify and enforce
the policy as well as employee training.
6. Training should include the recognition of eye and face hazards, maintenance and
proper use of safety gear and first aid procedures.
7. Maintenance of PPE is important. A dirty or scratched face shield, for example,
can worsen conditions by clouding a workers vision. Obscured vision makes any
workplace that much more dangerous and may cause workers to choose not to use
protective equipment. Properly maintained, cleaned and fitted face and eye
protection encourages consistent use, which improves safety.
Based on the type and degree of hazard, face protection can include face shields with
safety eyewear worn underneath, welding helmets with face shields of suitable lens shade
and full face respirators. Explosive environments require explosion-proof shielding. When
faced with high-temperature exposures, a screened or reflective face shield may be
required.
Safety glasses or goggles should always be worn with face shields. When prescription
lenses are required, they should be incorporated into the face protection as prescription
safety glasses or prescription respirator inserts. Many times, injured workers are not those
directly performing hazardous work but those who are visiting or just passing through.
Some eye and face hazards, such as flying particulates or liquid splash, can injure people in
adjacent areas. Protective curtains or area shields can help minimize exposure. Posting
eye and face protection required signs and training also reinforces proper safety
procedures.

Gambling with Your Eyesight Could Make

You a One Eyed Jack

There are two sides to eye safety: first, safety for the eyes, and second, safety through the
eyes. Safety for the eyes is concerns the use of goggles, colored glasses, smoked glass
screens, face shields, and the like.
Do you know that your eyes guide 80% of your actions; that 85% of your knowledge comes
through them? Shut your eyes real tight for about ten seconds. What do you see?
Nothing! Thats what a blind man sees, and believe me, he sees plenty of it. Remember!
You cannot buy one good eye with all the money in the world so you should care enough for
your eyesight to wear goggles when necessary. We never seem to realize just how
wonderful and valuable our eyesight is until we lose it, and then its too late.
In considering safety for the eye, it is necessary for us to remember that the eye can be
seriously and permanently injured by a small particle of dust or by a ray of powerful light.
Powerful rays of light pass through the lens and burn out the screen at the back, so that it
no longer responds by accepting an image and transmitting it to the brain.
Someone has said it is easier to furnish goggles than eyes. All such remarks are intended
to impress upon us the supreme importance of saving our sight.
The second aspect of eye safety has to do with the use of the eyes. Many danger signals
are appeals to the sight. A man who is colorblind cannot be a railway engineer. A man who
has no eye for clearances makes a poor truck driver and the man who has defective
judgment of distance cannot become an airplane pilot.
We need to protect our vision and to train our eyes to be alert to signs of danger, and be
prepared to interpret those signs.
Another use of the eyes should not to be forgotten. It is through our power of vision that we
read in magazines, newspapers, and books, the ideas and suggestions that help us get
more out of life.
Contact with dirty hands, gloves or clothing should be avoided. Also avoid wearing cheap
sunglasses. Have good illumination and hold reading material at least one foot from the
eyes.
When performing close work, look up frequently and extend your range of vision by looking
at something at a distance. Try to maintain general good health.
Wear proper eye protection when performing work where there is a possibility of eye injury
from sharp tools, loose wires, chips, acids and other corrosive chemicals, or other foreign
matter.
In case of an eye injury obtain proper medical treatment at once.
Poor eyesight is the cause of many accidents. To conserve your sight, your health and
perhaps your life, be kind to your eyes. Wear corrective glasses if you need them.

If you dont protect your eyes:

1. When you and your family are on vacation, they will have to describe the scenery to
you.
2. You will have to be led wherever you want to go.
3. Your spouse will have to describe the way your childrens eyes light up when they
open presents you give them.
4. No more leisurely activities such as hunting or fishing, watching movies, sports
events or TV.
5. No more driving the new truck you just bought.
Let your slogan be: Use your eyesdont lose them.
A Good Way to View the Future is Through Safety Glasses

The greatest friend a workers eyes have while on the job are his safety glasses. They
come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, but they have only one purposeto protect the
workers eyes.
A tiny speck of dust in the eye can feel like an oversized clinker. It can cause temporary loss
of vision and a great deal of discomfort and pain. That is because the eye must be
extremely sensitive in order to perform its function of receiving light rays. It must also be
directly exposed and is at the mercy of glare and flying particles.
The best way to see safely is through proper eye protectionsafety glasses, goggles or
shields. One type of eye protection alone is not enough. The wearer will feel safer and be
safer when he is wearing the eye protection provided for use in the performance of duties
associated with specified operations.
Safety glasses can be classified as common sense protection. They should be worn as
insurance against hidden hazardsthe tiny piece of grit that comes from nowhere, or the
wire end that is unexpectedly flipped eyeward. While safety glasses serve a very definite
purpose, they do not offer 100 per cent protection and are not intended to replace goggles
or shields when those devices are specified.
It is just as important to use correct eye protection, as it is to use the correct tool. For
instance, a wrench is a poor substitute for a hammer, just as safety glasses are poor
substitutes for goggles when a grinding wheel is being used.
Plastic safety goggles should be worn when grinding, drilling, cleaning or performing
operations where there is danger from flying objects such as dirt or metallic particles getting
into the eyes. They should also be worn when work is being performed beneath another

work location from which dust or dirt particles are likely to be released. This can happen at
any location where it is necessary to look up while performing a work operation. As an extra
safeguard, where dust or dirt may enter the ventilating holes in the frame of the goggles, the
holes may be covered temporarily with scotch tape.
Where a severe impact hazard does not exist, but frontal and lateral eye protection is
required, face shields may be worn instead of safety goggles. These shields can be worn
over regular safety glasses.
The chances of having a close shave in an eye accident are many and varied and it is only
by utilizing all the devices available that complete protection can be obtained.
Before performing any operation, the safe worker thinks of safety.
Whenever your safety goggles seem to annoy you, just remember that youll have
more trouble trying to see out of a glass eye.

Eye ProtectionAre You Gambling With

Your Eyesight?
There are regulations requiring your employer and supervisor to ensure that you use
appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying
particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic gases, vapors or potentially injurious
light radiation. Your employer is to also see that you use eye protection that provides side
protection when there is a hazard from flying objects.
Even with company policies and government regulations requiring the use of personal
protective equipment, accidents still occur. Why do these accidents continue to
occur? Employees just arent using their safety eyewear. Reported statistics suggest
that three out of every five workers who received eye injuries were not wearing eye
protection at the time of the accident. Other reports indicate that individuals were harmed
when they wore the wrong kind of eye protection for the job.
You and your supervisor must determine where the eye hazards are located and what kind
of equipment will best protect your eyesight. Look for these typical eye hazards at your
worksite:
Dust, mists, fumes, sparks, high heat, flying particles, power tools, extreme cold, molten
metal, chemical splash (liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids), welding and brazing.
Always use the right personal protection for the specific eye or face hazard.

Once you have determined the eye hazards, you will need to select the best protection to
be used. Safety eyewear comes in many different types and styles, from glasses with side
shields to goggles and helmets.
Types of Protection
1. Safety Glasses impact-resistant lenses with side shields that protect against
particles that might enter the eyes from the side.
2. Goggles protect from impact, dust, and chemical splashes.
3. Face Shields not for eye protection. Use for face protection with chemicals, when
grinding, or chipping. Other eye protection also is required.
4. Welding Shields fitted with filtered lenses. Protect face and eyes from burns when
welding, brazing, soldering, and cutting.
Injuries have occurred by objects or chemicals going around or under the protector when it
is loose. When fitting, ensure the eye protection is snug but allows air to circulate between
the eye and the lens.
Training
1. Always wear the proper eye protection and make sure it fits.
2. Wear goggles under face shields. Shields and welding helmets by themselves do not
provide complete eye protection.
3. Understand when to wear the eye protection and how to properly adjust it. If in
doubt, ask your supervisor.
4. Dont use tinted safety glasses indoors.
5. Never look at welding operations without proper protection.
6. Keep your eye protection equipment clean and in good condition.
Remember, to prevent eye injuries always wear effective eye protection.
Eyes Are Everything

Every working dayon company timethousands of industrial employees play Industrial

Roulette and about 1000 of them lose. The only equipment needed for this treacherous
form of gambling is a jaunty It cant happen to me attitude and a complete disregard for
facts and the law of averages.

Industrial Roulette is a con game with ground rules requiring someone to guess which
employee might get hit in the eye. The 1,000 losers are the workers who suffer eye injuries
every day as careless, unprotected workers turn the wheel of chance.
More than 90 percent of these eye injuries are needless and could be prevented with basic
safety eyewear. That is of course, if the safety eyewear is worn over the eyes rather than
on the forehead, around the neck, or dangling from a pocket.
Worn-Out Beefs
No doubt youve heard your share of beefing about the horrors of wearing eye protection.
Well, dont get the feeling that its just you against the world. The complaints can be heard
from coast to coast. Roughly, this perpetual parade of complaints boils down to four main
categories:
Safety glasses are too heavy.
Safety glasses will ruin my eyes.
Street glasses are almost as good as safety glasses.
Safety glasses are needed for only certain jobs.
Safety glasses are too heavy. Actual tests prove that many safety glasses weigh less
than a necktie. If the stamina of the average industrial employee is so low that he cant
bear up under the weight of a necktie, then the industry is in bad shape.
Safety glasses will ruin my eyes. Safety lenses are made of optical quality glass or
plastic. Whoever ruined his eyes looking through house windows or auto windshields?
These items are not of optical quality. Further, medical experts on the subject agree that
there is no valid scientific evidence whatsoever to support the allegation that wearing safety
eyewear will produce eye deterioration. These same experts agree that substandard or
improperly fitted lenses may cause annoyance and some discomfortbut not disease.
Street glasses are almost as good as safety glasses. When regular street glasses will
withstand the impact of a 7/8 diameter steel ball dropped freely from a height of 50 inches,
and the frames are not flammable, and all other ASA requirements are met, then, and only
then, can ordinary specs be used in industry. Street glasses are not as good as safety
glassesand should not be allowed.
The complaint that Safety glasses are needed for only certain jobs, can be answered
by the men best qualified to comment on this classic misstatement: the workmen who
played Industrial Rouletteand lost one or both eyes.

Emergency Showers and Eyewashes

An emergency eyewash, or eyewash and shower should be provided whenever employees
are exposed to corrosive materials. Make sure your facility eyewash station(s) and
shower(s) are kept in optimal condition with these handy tips.
Identify Hazards
The first step to take when deciding whether an eyewash or eyewash and shower is needed
is to determine if a material is hazardous to the eyes or skin. Usually, the level of pH will
be used to determine if a material is hazardous. However, other information such as a
material safety data sheet (MSDS) and various references may be used to determine
whether a material is hazardous.
Liquids present the most common hazards, but solids, gases, vapors and mists may also be
hazardous. A material may be considered hazardous if it can damage the skin, eyes, or is
readily absorbed through the skin.
Determine Exposure
Determine whether the hazardous material can contact the eyes or skin. To determine
exposure, look at the potential for the material to be splashed or get into the eyes or on the
skin. If there is skin exposure, then it should be determined how much could splash on the
skin. If the material is hazardous and capable of coming in contact with the eyes, quantity is
not a consideration.
Eyewash, Shower Requirements
Eyewashes and showers should be in compliance with ANSI Z358.1-1998 or equivalent
standard.
The construction, installation and location of the eyewash or eyewash and shower should
meet the above requirements as well. The following should also be considered:
1. Eyewashes and showers should be located as close as possible to the hazard and
on the same level. The more hazardous the material, the closer in time and distance
the unit should be.
2. Flushing fluid temperature for eyewashes and showers should be tepid or lukewarm.
3. Plumbed eyewashes and showers must be flushed weekly to ensure proper
operation. Eyewash flushing for at least three minutes has been suggested to reduce
bacterial and amoebic contamination.
There should be regular maintenance of self-contained eyewash units to ensure the units
are full and operational, the flushing solution is changed according to manufacturers

instructions and access to the units is not blocked. Only commercially available solutions
intended for eye flushing should be used.

Eye Protection: Preserve your Vision

This safety meeting will require some effort on your part! Im assigning everyone a
homework task. But dont panicthis homework will be a piece of cake! On your way
home today is spend the evening observing the many beautiful things in this world! For just
one evening, stop taking your eyesight for granted! Let me suggest the following activities.
As you leave the workplace today, look up, down and all around, observing the beauty
around you. See the blue sky, the many shades of leaves in the trees, and the different
birds that occupy them. When you get home, watch your children play and notice how their
eyes light up when Daddy or Mommy gets home.
Have you ever stopped to think how wonderful your eyesight really is? Well, think about it.
For about two minutes, close your eyes completely and contemplate how life would be if
you lost your eyesight! Thats ityour homework is complete! Did you envision how your
life would change if you couldnt see? Did your thoughts include any of the following?
1. When you and your family are on vacation, they will have to describe the scenery to
you.
2. You would have to be led wherever you want to go.
3. Your spouse will have to describe the way your childrens eyes light up when they
open their presents.
4. No more leisurely activities such as hunting or fishing, watching movies or TV.
5. No more driving the new truck you just bought.
Does this sound like something you want to experience? I didnt think so! Is there a way to
prevent this from happening? You betwear your eye protection! It is estimated that 90% of
eye injuries are preventable with the proper use of safety eyewear. What does this tell
us? Many people do not wear proper eye protection!
Lets examine a few operations that present eye hazards:
1. Abrasive work like grinding, sanding, hammering, metalwork, and woodwork might
cause pieces of the item being worked on to dislodge forcefully enough to reach the
eyes;
2. Painting, spraying, sanding, metal working, spot welding or any other process that
may cause dust, fumes or tiny particulates to become airborne;

3. Hot work such as electric welding, brazing and soldering can cause eye damage
from ultraviolet, visible and infrared bands of the energy spectrum. Other work tasks
that can bring exposure to heat are cutting with a torch, or operations around radiant
energy or intense heat;
4. Operations such as handling acids and caustics, mud additives, and hot metal
casting and babbitting where gases, vapors, liquids or splashing metals are
generated.
5. Chemical activities can cause risk of direct splash to the eye or contact with chemical
mists or gases from mixing, pouring, measuring and general use.
6. Biological agents can affect the eye, such as viruses, bacteria or infectious materials
like blood.
7. Lasers pose a burn risk to the eye dependent on the laser wavelength.
8. Fixed or attached objects can break loose. Chains, tree limbs, tools, pipes and dirt
become hazards.
9. Dust, mists, fumes, sparks, high heat, flying particles, power tools, extreme cold,
molten metal, chemical splash (liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids)
Once you have determined the eye hazards, you need to select the best protection usage.
Safety eyewear comes in many different types and styles, from glasses with side shields to
goggles and helmets. Always use the right personal protection for the specific eye or face
hazard.
Types of Protection
Safety Glasses. Impact-resistant lenses with side shields
Side shields. These protect against particles that might enter the eyes from the side. Side
shields are made of wire mesh or plastic. Eyecup type side shields provide the best
protection.
Goggles. Protect from impact, dust, and splashes.
Face Shields. Not for eye protection. Use for face protection with chemicals or when
grinding or chipping. Other eye protection is required.
Welding Shields. Fitted with filtered lenses. Protect face & eyes from burns when welding,
brazing, soldering and cutting.
Your eyesight is a precious gift. Please do not wait until its too late to come to your
senses. If your work presents an exposure to eye hazards, wear your eye protection.

Fall Prevention Safety Meeting Topics

Working Surface Safety

Stair and Handrail Safety
1. Upon rig up of a land rig, the stairs should be securely fastened as soon as they are
set in place and before use by personnel.
2. Every flight of stairs with more than four risers should be equipped with a standard
stair railing.
3. A stair railing should be between 30 (77cm) and 34 (86cm) high when measured
from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the stair tread in line with the
leading edge of the riser. Stair handrails should include a middle rail.
4. Stair handrail posts should not be more than 5 feet (86cm) apart.
5. Stairs must have an angle to the horizontal between 30 and 50 degrees.
6. Riser heights and treads must be uniform throughout each flight of stairs. This
includes the distance between the surface of the top step and the top surface of the
landing as well as the top of the bottom step and the ground or deck. The amount of
rise should be in proportion to the angle to horizontal. Refer to the IADC HSE
Reference Guide for details.
7. Treads should be reasonably slip resistant and in portion with the angle to horizontal.
Refer to the IADC HSE Reference Guide for details.
8. Open grating treads are recommended for outside stairs.
9. Avoid having long flights of stairs. Provide intermediate landings or platforms when
necessary.
10. Vertical clearance from the leading edge of a tread to an overhead obstruction must
be at least seven feet (215cm).
11. All steps should be well-lighted for after-dark safety.
12. All handrails and railings must provide a clearance of at least 3 inches (7.62 cm)
between the rail and any other object.
13. Do not ascend or descend steps without having at least one hand on the handrail.

14. Do not slide down the stairs with legs on handrails.

15. Treads that become bent out of shape should be straightened or replaced as soon
as possible.
16. Steps should be kept clear of ice and snow in the wintertime.
17. Heavy loads should not be moved up or down steps by one person. Use of the rig
floor winch is recommended.
Walkway Safety
1. Keep walkways clearfree from protruding nails, splinters, holes, and loose boards,
etc.
2. Guard open-sided walkways that are at least 4 feet high with a standard railing. A
standard rail consists of top rail, middle rail and posts, and is 42 inches high from top
of top rail to floor, and the middle rail is half way in between.
3. A stair railing should be between 30 and 34 inches high with a middle rail.
4. Railing posts should be no more than 8 feet apart.
5. Installed railings of all types must be anchored and strong enough to withstand at
least 200 pounds applied in any direction to the top rail.
6. A standard toe board must be at least 4 inches high, must be securely fastened, and
has a clearance from the floor of not over 1/4 inch.
7. There should be no opening in floors or walkways over 1 inch in size (longest
dimension).
8. Walkways should be smooth and level. There should be no tripping hazards along a
walkway.
9. There should be no low overhead hazards above a walkway.
10. Mud pit walkways should be well-anchored, level, and free of holes and/or tripping
hazards. Standard railings should be provided on pit walkways.

Slip, Trip or Fall

Slip, trip or fall hazards on some jobs, such as working in the derrick, on the rig floor, or on
raised decks can be deadly. The phrase slip, trip, and fall may initially seem redundant,
but these are three distinct types of safety hazards. All three hazards can result in injury and
equipment or property damage.

Slip hazards are created when liquids, ice or other materials interfere with the traction
between the floor and a persons feet. Injuries from slips can include broken bones, back
injuries, and bruises. A description of a slip-related accident usually goes like this: My feet
just went out from under me.
Trip hazards usually involve an inappropriately placed object such as an electrical cord,
storage box, pipe or tool. People that trip over something can either fall to the ground or into
another object. Even when they catch themselves, they can still suffer broken bones and
bruises. Equipment and tools can also be broken.
Falls can be life threatening. Each year there are many fatal incidents in the industry and
numerous workers are injured. A wide range of protections are available, including
guardrails, fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers, and travel restriction systems.
Precautions: Slip, trip and fall protections can be as simple as using a flashlight to see
where you are walking to elaborate harness systems for working in the derrick. As with any
workplace hazard, a careful evaluation of the work area to assess the hazards is an
important first precaution.
1. Securely installed hand railings can stabilize a person to prevent slips.
2. All work areas should be well lit and orderly.
3. Slip hazards can be prevented by careful material handling and prompt spill clean
up.
4. Proper footwear can reduce the hazard by increasing traction. Footwear should be
compatible with any chemicals in the work environment and inspected frequently for
wear and breakthrough. Poorly fitting footwear and over boots can make conditions
worse.
5. Visual inspections of the work area for trip hazards should be routinely performed to
eliminate trip hazards. Providing adequate storage space and requiring good
housekeeping prevents many trips.
6. Cones, flags and other warning devices can be used to identify potential trip areas
and alert workers to step carefully.
7. Painting immovable objects a bright color is often successful.
8. Different circumstances call for different kinds of fall protection.

Fall protection appropriate for ladders or stairways, for example, varies from the fall
protection required for scaffolding, construction or confined spaces.

Careful worksite evaluation and compliance with applicable regulations and industry
standards is required.

Preventing Falls
Each year falls consistently account for a number of fatalities in industry.
How do you, as workers, take responsibility to prevent falls at the work site? If the practices
listed below are followed on a consistent basis, they can help prevent falls.
1. As an employee are you actively committed to providing a safe jobsite?
2. Do you inspect the rig (location) daily or more often for housekeeping problems that
may cause a fall from elevation or a same-level fall?
3. Is the entire site surveyed regularly for changing conditions that may create a
tripping or slipping hazard?
4. Are spills cleaned up immediately?
5. Are walkways kept clear, and excess materials kept orderly allowing free walkway
space?
6. Are stored materials such as sacks of mud chemicals, stable and secure from tipping
or falling over?
7. Are materials such as drilling mud chemicals, sand or other granular materials swept
up and removed immediately from walking surfaces?
8. Are workers tools and toolboxes properly located and stored?
9. Are temporary electrical cables, air or water hoses routed such that they do not
create additional tripping hazards?
10. Are all stray tools gathered and stored properly at the end of each shift?
11. Is a safe clearance for material handling equipment provided through aisles and
doorways?
12. Are openings to outside walls adequately barricaded and labeled before any work
begins in the area?
13. Are employees prohibited from sitting on ledges of openings to outside decks?
14. Are all floor openings identified with appropriate signage and covered or barricaded
prior to carrying on work in the area?
15. When working at a height do you utilize a full body harness and100% tie off?

16. When its necessary to remove hand rails, are the openings the through handrails
adequately barricaded and labeled before any wok begins in the area?
17. Are the floor (deck) openings guarded by a standard railing?
18. Do you know how to report unsafe conditions on the rig (well site)?
19. Do you know whom to contact in such cases?
20. Do you document reported items or unsafe conditions?
21. Do you and your co-workers wear appropriate safety footwear for the floor
conditions?
22. Does your footwear fit properly to prevent slips that could be caused by excessive
wear or damage?
23. Is your footwear damaged or defective? If so it should be replaced or repaired.
24. Is the level of lighting adequate for safe movement and for the work being
performed?
25. Are temporary hand railings checked to ensure they are properly secured and meet
applicable standards?
26. Are floors and walkways evaluated for evenness?
27. Are changes in elevation, such as joints, labeled to prevent falls?
28. Are covers or guardrails in place and marked around open hatches, pits, tanks or
other surface interruptions?
29. Are aisles, ramps, docks and other vehicle ways, kept clear of tripping hazards?
30. Are ladder-ways and other wall openings guarded by a railing?
31. Is there a scaffolding competent person available for scaffolding setup, inspection,
use and removal?
32. Are scrap or trash bins monitored for spillover that could create a slip/fall hazard?
33. Is there adequate lighting for safe employee movement and for work being
performed?
34. Is there a dike around waste oil storage areas to prevent any spilled or leaked oil
from getting onto the deck or walkways?

35. Are adequate cleanup supplies and absorbents available for spills?
36. Do you and your co-workers know where to find first aid supplies on the site?
37. Do you and your co-workers know where the emergency numbers are posted and
whom to report incidents to?

Ladder Safety: Portable and Fixed Ladders

People fall off ladders, resulting in injuries that range from bruises, broken bones, or even
death. There are several potential hazards when working with ladders. Poor condition,
improper selection or improper use has contributed to numerous injuries. Proper ladder
selection is vital in keeping the employee safe while climbing. You should be aware of a
ladders weight and height limits. Also it is critically important not to use a metal ladder near
live electrical wires.
If a ladder is missing parts or has parts that are not intact, its not going to be able to
support the user. Scheduled inspections and inspections prior to its use are a key part of
ladder safety.
Improper use of the ladder is the most common contributing factor in ladder accidents.
Ladders should only be used for the intended use. Listed below are some common sense
ladder safety characteristics:
1. Fixed ladders should have a clearance of seven inches between the ladder and
structure to ensure safe footing.
2. Inspect the ladders to ensure they are bolted to the derrick. All bolts and ladder
rungs should be periodically checked for tightness.
3. No fixed ladder shall be allowed to lean backward from a vertical position.
4. No more than one person will be permitted on a portable ladder.
5. Never extend beyond an arms length to reach work when on a ladder. To prevent
slipping or falling, do not lean out from the centerline of a ladder.
6. The entire length and width of all ladders must be kept free of obstructions at all
times.
7. Metal ladders must not be used for electrical work.
8. Damaged portable ladders are to be destroyed and replaced with new ones. No
employee shall use a portable ladder unless the ladder is secured against toppling.
Portable ladders should be equipped with non-skid feet. Do not use ladders which
do not stand straight or are not level.

9. Face the ladder at all times when climbing or descending.

10. A ladder must not be used as a scaffold or as a flat walking surface.
11. The portable ladders base should be placed a distance of approximately one-fourth
of its length away from a wall.
12. When raising a ladder, make sure it does not contact an electrical line.
13. Employees must inspect ladders before each use.
Ladder Setup Procedures
1. Place the ladder on a level surface. Use wide boards under the feet of the ladder if
you are on soft ground.
2. Set the ladder feet so they are parallel with the upper surface that the ladder rests
against for support.
3. Extend the ladder so there is at least three feet above the top support.
4. Anchor the top and have someone hold the bottom or tie it so it will not slip out from
under you.
5. Position the ladder so that the distance from the ladder base to the wall is one-fourth
the length of the ladder height.
Suggested questions for review
1. What are some of the things to look for when inspecting a ladder?
2. When should metal ladders not be used?
3. At what angle do you position the ladder before climbing?
4. How do you properly climb a ladder?

Ladders: General Information and Checklist

Most workers injured in falls from ladders, are less than 10 feet above the ladders base.
Portable ladders generally fall into the following basic categories:
Single Ladder: A non-self supporting portable ladder that is non adjustable in length.
Extension Ladder: A non-self supporting ladder that is adjustable in length.
Step Ladder: A self-supporting ladder, nonadjustable in length, having flat steps and
hinged back. Step Ladder types are:
Type I Industrial (3 to 20) 300# Rating,
Type II Commercial (3 to 12) 225# or 250# Rating, and
Type III household (3 to 6) 200# Rating.
The following tips will help improve ladder safety and help workers avoid falls and other
ladder mishaps.
Wooden ladders should be smooth on all sides, free from sharp edges and splinters,
visually sound, free of cracks, decay or other irregularities. No wooden stepladder should
be over 20 feet long.
Metal ladders should be free of structural defects, sharp edges, burrs, etc. The metal
should be protected against corrosion. Take necessary safety measures when using metal
ladders in areas containing electrical circuits to prevent short circuits or electrical shock.
Fiberglass safety ladders are non-conductive with re-enforced fiberglass side rails and
non-marring end caps that act as insulators. The ladders are relatively lightweight. The
ladder resists weathering and corrosion.
Inspection, Maintenance and Set-up:
1. Ladders should be inspected frequently, and those which have developed defects
should be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction.
2. Inspect your ladder for tight joints between steps and side rails, cracks, rust, broken
rungs and rails, and oily or greasy rungs.
3. Ladders should be maintained in good condition at all times. The joint between the
steps and side rails should be tight, all hardware and fittings should be securely
attached, and movable parts should operate freely without binding or undo play.
4. Ensure there are non-slip safety feet on each ladder, or secure the ladder to prevent
it from sliding on slippery surfaces. Check to see that the feet are in good condition.
5. Stepladders must have a metal spreader bar.

6. Check the ladders rating, and dont subject it to a load greater than its rated
capacity.
7. Use only nonconductive ladders near electrical conductors.
8. Fiberglass ladders should be inspected periodically for damage from exposure to
ultraviolet light (either sunlight or welding). If the resin is cracked or has degraded to
the point where fiberglass is starting to surface, the ladder should be discarded.
9. Ladders should not be painted as paint can hide defects.
10. Check the rope on extension ladders. Frayed or badly worn rope should be replaced.
11. Set the ladder on solid footing, against a solid support.
12. Place the base of non-self-supporting ladders away from the wall one foot for every
four feet of vertical height. In the case of a landing that extends out from a wall the
ladder base should placed away from an imaginary vertical line from the edge of the
upper level of the landing, one foot for every four feet of vertical height.
13. Never use ladders as sideways platforms, runways or scaffolds.

Fire Prevention Safety Meeting

Topics

Flammable Liquids
GASOLINEor any flammable liquidis a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydea tricky, two-faced
character found in almost every plant and home. Harnessed properly, gasoline serves as a
vital source of energy. Treated carelessly, it is an explosive monster turned loose!
What ignites and causes these lethal blasts? At the filling station, youve noticed gasoline
vapors shimmering from the pump nozzle like heat waves on hot concrete. Its these
vapors that are explosive, and they really travel! Flashes have occurred over 200 feet away
from the gasoline source. Vapors are present with all flammable liquids, to some extent, so
all are potentially dangerous.
If youve never been burned by a flammable liquid, we hope its due to good sense rather
than good luck. Luck is fickle! Rely only on good sense by using the following precautions
when handling ALL flammables.
1. Keep flammables only in the containers in which they arrive, or in approved
safety containers.Be sure all containers are plainly marked, with contents labeled.
2. Read labels on all containers carefully, and follow all precautions
outlined. Flammable, inflammable, combustible, all mean the contents will burn!
3. For working quantities, take only what is absolutely needed, and use only
approved safety cans that are in good condition.
4. Never use near hot surfaces. When refueling a gasoline engine, always stop the
engine first and allow it plenty of time to cool.
5. Never smoke, use open flame, or strike a spark where flammable liquids are used
or stored.
6. To prevent static electricity, keep the lip of the one container in direct contact with
the lip of the other when pouring a flammable.
7. Use in an unconfined area where there is plenty of air circulatingout-ofdoors, whenever possible. Always leave yourself a good avenue of escape, in
case of flash.

8. Keep your clothes entirely free of the liquids youre using. Never handle
flammables when wearing oily or greasy clothing.
9. Keep all containers tightly closed when not in use. Return flammables to the
proper storage area as soon as youre through with them.
10. Store flammable liquids in fire-resistant rooms or cabinets. At home, its best to
keep them out of the house, and out of the range of childrens curiosity.
These practical rules will enable us to enjoy the valuable services of our friend, Dr. Jekyll
while keeping the vicious monster, Mr. Hyde, imprisoned behind the bars of common sense,
for good.
Misuse of Flammable Liquids

Everyone knows the word flammable and what it meansliterallywill catch fire easily and
burn fast. Inflammable means the same thing and either name in conjunction with a liquid
used for cleaning machinery, parts, clothing, etc. can only spell one thing: trouble.
It is surprising to know that many people still believe that it is the liquid itself that burns. All
liquid evaporates when open to the air, and it is the vapors of flammables that burn, not the
liquid. If the liquid burned, we wouldnt need complicated carburetors on engines to get the
proper air-fuel mixtures. Instead a simple jet could be used.
We all know that a certain combination of oxygen (air) mixture with the vapors must exist
before a flame or explosion can occur with any flammable liquid. There is no need to go
into detail on the upper and lower explosive limits of the various flammables, which are
misused for cleaning purposes. How many of us can tell when these limits are reached?
NO ONE CAN without adequate instruments. We know that the leanest vapor-air mixture
that will burn is called the lower explosive limit of a substance while the richest vapor-air
mixture is called the upper explosive limit. The spread between the two limits is called the
explosive range. All flammables differ in the spread of the explosive range and the wider
the range is, the lower the lower limit will be and the quicker the explosive range will be
reached. For instance, gasoline (which is manufactured to explode in an internal
combustion engine, to burn in lanterns, stoves, etc. NOT FOR CLEANING) vapor-air
mixture ranges from 1.4% to 7.6% and starts giving off vapor at a -40 F (4 C). Kerosene
has a 1% to 6% ratio with vapor range of 115 F(46 C). Diesel oil starts at 130F (54 C) and
the Stoddard Solvents begin around 110F (43 C).
Another important factor is the rate at which a flammable liquid evaporates, i.e., its volatility
at room temperature (usually assumed to be 70F / 21 C). Its easy to see that the more
volatile a flammable liquid is, the more vapor it will give off into the air per minute or per
hour. Therefore, the results will be a larger volume of an explosive mixture and a bigger
boom if its touched off.

Gasoline must never be used as a cleaning agent, not only from the explosive
standpoint, but it is also very toxic and a dangerous degreaser to the skin.
Adding just two tablespoons of gasoline to kerosene or any of the other flammable cleaning
agents will make a drastic change in the explosive mixture so it is not advisable to use a
former gasoline container for other liquids unless you can be positive that it has been
thoroughly cleaned. Kerosene and diesel may be usedwith proper precautionsbut a
good Stoddard type solvent is still better. You must remember that heat and especially Ole
Sol can bring the temperature of any liquid up to its flash-point, and in the hot summertime
its almost impossible to avoid the upper temperature ranges.
Always do your cleaning or degreasing in the open air since vapors confined in a small area
can really create a violent explosion. The use of sprayers for cleaning odd-shaped parts
just adds to the hazards involved by causing a more rapid vaporization and possibility of
static electricity build-up. The amount of static electricity spark needed to set-off an
explosion or fire is so small you cant feel, see, or taste it.
THINK IT OVER before you start that cleanup job.

Flammable Liquids: General Information

A flammable liquid is a combustible substance that catches fire and burns easily.
Flammable liquids burn with intensity and few materials can generate as many British
Thermal Units (BTUs) per pound as flammable liquids. This accounts for the rapid heat
buildup and how fast the fine spreads.
Gasoline is the most common flammable liquid manufactured and used. Because virtually
everyone uses gasoline it is often assumed that everyone is familiar with its dangerous
properties. However, as familiarity breeds contempt (or at least carelessness), it may be a
good idea to review this highly hazardous material. Here are some brief but important items
to remember when dealing with gasoline.
1. It is extremely import that you realize that the liquid itself does not burn. It is the
vapor that the liquid gives off that burns.
2. Vapors usually cannot be seen, but frequently travel long distances to a source of
ignition. Thus the gasoline can be located a great distance from an actual ignition
source.
3. Gasoline gives off enough vapors to flash when exposed to an external ignition
source at temperatures as low as -45 F (4 C) so imagine how much vapor is given
off at 70-90 F!
4. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air. Vapors will settle to the ground and flow similar
to a liquid. This is why gasoline vapors tend to find their way into drains, sewer lines,
basements and other low spots.

5. Gasoline must be mixed with air before it can burn. It does not take much gasoline to
make an ignitable mixture. If the gas-to-air mixture contains as little as 1.4%
gasoline by volume, it can be ignited with explosive force.
6. It is said that the potential energy in a one-gallon can of gasoline is equal to
numerous sticks of dynamite.
7. A gasoline/air mixture can be ignited by a hot surface, e.g., a smoldering object such
as a cigarette, an open flame, or even a static spark. Other ignition sources include
open flames, electrical switches, open motors, static electricity, heat guns, welding or
cutting, and radiant heat.
Safety:
1. Practice good hygiene after handling gasoline. Thoroughly wash hands and any
other areas that may have come in contact with gasoline.
2. Avoid prolonged inhalation of vapors as gasoline because it contains benzene, a
known carcinogen.
3. What can you do to avoid a gasoline disaster? The following tips are good advice
when handling or using gasoline.

Never use gasoline for anything other than its intended purpose, as a fuel.

Never use it as a cleaning solvent!

Store gasoline in UL-approved safety containers.

Never smoke when anywhere near gasoline.

Shut off all equipment before refueling and allow it to cool off first.

Inspect all fuel hoses, pipes and pumps frequently. Fix leaks now!

Never fill containers while they are sitting in the bed of a pickup. Place the
containers on the ground, and then fill.

When fueling a vehicle, stay near the nozzle. Dont get back in the vehicle while the
nozzle is fueling. If you get into the vehicle for some reason, upon exiting the
vehicle, be sure to touch the vehicle body someplace away from the nozzle in order
to dispel any static electricity that may have been generated while getting in and out
of the vehicle.

Follow hot work procedures.

Should a fire start at the opening of a gas tank while fueling a vehicle, do not pull the
fill hose from the tank. It will draw vapors out and can cause an explosion. Get
away and shut down the fuel pump.

Remember!!! Gasoline was chosen as a fuel for the same reasons that make it so
dangerous. It is easily vaporized, easy to ignite and explodes powerfully when
ignited.
Never let yourself become complacent around this volatile liquid that we use
everyday.

Hand and Power Tools Safety

Meeting Topics

Managing Hand-Tool Hazards

Compared with a vat of chlorine or a huge industrial machine, a hammer seems pretty
harmless. But workers who use simple hand tools shouldnt be lulled into a false sense of
safety.
Consider these hazards:
1. Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and fly,
hitting the user or other employees.
2. If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is loose, splintered or
cracked, the head of the tool may fly off and strike the user or another worker.
3. Impact tools such as chisels, wedges or drift pins are unsafe if they have
mushroomed heads. The heads might shatter on impact, sending sharp fragments
flying.
The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.
The following tips and checklist is to help workers refresh their hand tool safety awareness.
Hand Tool Safety Notes
The employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by
employees, but the employees have the responsibility for properly using and
maintaining tools and reporting unsafe tools to their supervisor.

1. Sharp blades such as saw blades, knives or other tools should be directed away
from aisle areas and other employees working in close proximity.
2. Knives and scissors must be sharp. Dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp
ones.
3. Appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., should
be worn due to hazards that may be encountered while using portable power tools
and hand tools.
4. Safety requires that floors be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental
slips with or around dangerous hand tools.
5. Around flammable substances, sparks produced by iron and steel hand tools can be
a dangerous ignition source. Where this hazard exists, spark-resistant tools made
from brass, plastic, aluminum or wood will provide for safety.
Hand Tool and Equipment Checklist
1. Are all tools and equipment used by employees at their workplace in good condition?
2. Are hand tools such as chisels and punches, which develop mushroomed heads
during use, reconditioned or replaced as necessary?
3. Are broken or fractured handles on hammers, axes and similar equipment replaced
promptly?
4. Are worn or bent wrenches replaced regularly?
5. Are appropriate handles used on files and similar tools?
6. Are employees made aware of the hazards caused by faulty or improperly used
hand tools?
7. Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields, etc., worn while using hand tools or
equipment that might produce flying materials or be subject to breakage?
8. Are jacks checked periodically to ensure they are in good operating condition?
9. Are tool handles wedged tightly in the head of all tools?
10. Are tool cutting edges kept sharp so the tool will move smoothly without binding or
skipping?
11. Are tools stored in dry, secure locations where they wont be tampered with?

12. Is eye and face protection used when changing tong dies, or driving hardened /
tempered studs or nails?

Hand Tool Safety: Clamps, Snips,

Toolboxes
Clamps

Do not use the C-clamp for hoisting materials.

Do not use the C-clamp as a permanent fastening device.

Snips

Wear your safety glasses or safety goggles when using snips to cut materials.

Wear your work gloves when cutting materials with snips.

Do not use straight-cut snips to cut curves.

Keep the blade aligned by tightening the nut and bolt on the snips.

Do not use snips as a hammer, screwdriver or pry bar.

Use the locking clip on the snips after you have finished using them.

Toolboxes/Chests/Cabinets

Use the handle when opening and closing a drawer or door of a toolbox, chest, or
cabinet.

Tape over or file off sharp edges on toolboxes, chests or cabinets.

Do not stand on toolboxes, chests or cabinets to gain extra height.

Clean tools before replacing them in the toolbox.

Lock the wheels on large toolboxes, chests or cabinets to prevent them from rolling.

Push large chests, cabinets and toolboxes; do not pull them.

Do not open more than one drawer of a toolbox at a time.

Close and lock all drawers and doors before moving the tool chest to a new location.

Do not move a toolbox, chest or cabinet if it has loose tools or parts on the top.

Hand Tool Safety: Using Hammers Safely

Use a hammer only if it is in good condition. The head should not be mushroomed and it
should be firmly attached to the handle.
Be certain that both the hammer and your hands are clean.
Hammers with damaged heads or broken handles should be repaired or replaced.
When replacing a wooden handle, apply glue to the wedge before you drive it into the
handle.
Grip a hammer close to the end in order to make the tool weight work for you. Choking it is
awkward and increases the chances for a smashed finger. Choking the handle also makes
for a less effective blow.
Always wear safety glasses or goggles while using a hammer. This includes driving nails. A
flying nail or other flying material can cause the loss of an eye.
Always keep your mind on your work, or you are apt to hit your fingers. Start driving nails
by holding them near the head and hitting the nail with a light blow. This will minimize the
possibility of flying nails and finger injuries. Use a flat-faced hammer to drive nails, never a
machinists hammer.
Hammer handles are meant for gripping only. Dont tap objects with them or use them as
pry bars.
Dont use a wrench, rod, or bolt or other piece of equipment for a hammer.
Never strike hardened objects such as a wrench or another hammer with a hammer or
wrench. Use a rawhide, wood, rubber (weighted plastic hammer), or soft metal hammer.
Be sure you have an unobstructed swing when using a hammer. Watch out particularly for
overhead obstructions.
Have a helper use tongs or other proper holding device when holding work to be hit with a
sledgehammer. The helper should be positioned to the side of the person swinging the
hammer, never in front. Be sure no one is standing within the range of your swing when
using a sledgehammer. Both the helper and the person handling the sledgehammer should
wear goggles. Other personnel should be clear of the area in case metal chips or other
mater flies off when the sledgehammer is used.

There is a proper type of hammer for every hammering job. ALWAYS SELECT THE RIGHT
ONE. Never use a derrick pin, pump shaft or other makeshift tool, in place of a hammer.

Hand Tool Safety: Saws, Wrenches, Pliers

and Vises
Saws

Keep control of saws by releasing downward pressure at the end of the stroke.

Do not use an adjustable-blade saw (such as a hacksaw, coping saw, keyhole saw,
or bow saw) if the blade is not taut.

Do not use a saw that has dull saw blades.

Oil saw blades after each use of the saw.

Keep your hands and fingers away from the saw blade while you are using the saw.

Do not carry a saw by the blade.

When using the handsaw, hold the work piece firmly against the work table.

Use the circular saw guard when using the circular saw.

Wrenches

Do not use wrenches that are bent, cracked or badly chipped, or that have loose or
broken handles.

Do not slip a pipe over a single-head wrench handle for increased leverage.

Do not use a shim to make a wrench fit.

Use a split box wrench on flare nuts.

Do not use a wrench that has broken or battered points.

Use a hammer on striking-face wrenches.

Discard any wrench that has spread, nicked or battered jaws, or if the handle is bent.

Use box or socket wrenches on hexagon nuts and bolts as a first choice, and openend wrenches as a second choice.

Pliers

Do not use pliers as a wrench or a hammer.

Do not attempt to force pliers by using a hammer on them.

Do not slip a pipe over the handles of pliers to increase leverage.

When you are performing electrical work, use insulated pliers. Generally insulated
pliers have the blue rubber sleeves covering the handle.

Do not use pliers that are cracked, broken or sprung.

When using the diagonal cutting pliers, shield the loose pieces of cut material from
flying into the air by using a cloth or your gloved hand.

Vises

When clamping a long work piece in a vise, support the far end of the work piece by
using an adjustable pipe stand, saw horse or box.

Position the work piece in the vise so that the entire face of the jaw supports the
work piece.

Do not use a vise that has worn or broken jaw inserts, or has cracks or fractures in
the body of the vise.

Do not slip a pipe over the handle of a vise to gain extra leverage.