"GENERAL To avoid the hazards of tools and materials that may drop from above@ drilling crew members should not proceed to the derrick floor until the rig builders have finished their work on the derrick. Any loose materials left by the rig builders should be moved to a safe place away from the rig. Before rigging-up is started@ supervisors of the rig-up crews should survey the location and arrangement of the equipment for possible hazards which should be eliminated. Hazardous conditions@ such as loose floor boards@ should be secured after they have been brought to the attention of rig-up crews. A complete rigging-up schedule@ developed in advance@ should be followed@ and improvements should be made as the job proceeds. A worker well acquainted with an established work program is less likely to make mistakes which might result in damage to equipment or injury to crew members. Before any rigging-up material is moved to the derrick floor@ the opening in which the rotary table will be located should be covered and should remain covered until the rotary table is ready to be moved into place. Oil and gas well drilling is a serious and exacting business; drilling operations should be conducted by careful@ conscientious@ and responsible personnel. Horseplay and careless acts should not be tolerated. Careful planning@ alertness@ and effort on the part of each crew member must be coordinated with the total effort to minimize accident potential and to increase work efficiency. In rotary drilling operations@ the general appearance of the area is just as important as in any other business. Good housekeeping and maintenance practices promote efficiency and minimize accidental injury and fire hazards. A clean and well-maintained rig indicates how well the overall operation is managed. Good housekeeping and thorough maintenance promote safer operating conditions and higher morale. Employees engaged in drilling operations should be instructed in the correct methods of doing their work@ to the end that these men can work without injury to themselves or fellow employees. A management-supported safety program that includes the following should be established and maintained: Instruction of the driller specifically@ in his responsibility for the safety of his crew and equipment@ and during possible emergencies. Proper indoctrination of new employees. Each new man on a rig@ regardless of his prior experience@ should have his job outlined and demonstrated by the driller and another designated crewman. Observation of work performed by the new man should be maintained until the driller is satisfied that he can fulfill the position in a safe and effective manner. Proper instruction of the crew on details of work. Regularly scheduled and impromptu meetings for the crew@ in which the probable hazards and problems of the job are emphasized and discussed. Inspection and good housekeeping. Availability of@ and proper training in@ the use and maintenance of personal protective equipment. General safety education through safety meetings@ company publications@ and other educational media. A horn or whistle can be used effectively as an emergency alarm signal. A blowout is usually signaled by several short blasts. A fire is usually signaled by several long blasts. Development and use of a safety color code is recommended as an aid to an accident prevention program because the eye quickly notices certain colors@ especially against backgrounds of other colors which do not readily command attention. Work areas@ stairways@ aisles@ passageways@ work benches@ and machines should be provided with either natural or artificial illumination to provide adequate light at all times. Lamps and reflectors should be cleaned frequently to provide maximum illumination. When adequate illumination cannot be made available by other means@ safe portable lights should be provided. Change rooms@ ""dog houses@"" and outbuildings should be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Change rooms and outbuildings should be well lighted and located in an area where it is normally safe to smoke. Heating should be provided if required. Under no circumstances should change rooms@ dog houses@ or outbuildings be located in front of or to the rear of either end of boilers@ nor at either end of a butane or propane tank. A secondary exit should be provided in every change room@ dog house@ or other outbuilding at a drilling site. All rig personnel should be constantly alert to the possibilities of slippage and/or failure of materials@ equipment@ and lines; of forceful expulsion of fluids and materials by air or gas; of falling objects from overhead; of free-end whipping by broken wire lines under tension@ or pipelines under pressure; and similar conditions. They should also be aware of a possible sudden movement of tools@ materials@ or equipment being handled manually or with lines@ and always try to keep their hands and feet out of pinch-point locations. They should not place themselves under suspended loads. Crew members should always be certain that all pressure has been bled from lines@ regulators@ vessels@ and connections before disconnecting@ moving@ or working on them. Rig personnel should always endeavor to use good work postures with firm footing and good balance. Many sprains and strains are direct results of nothing more than assuming awkward work postures. No worker should ever attempt to lift an object that exceeds his lifting capacity. He should obtain help to lift awkward or heavy loads. Exhibitions of weightlifting are hazardous and should not be permitted. Suggestions for lifting are: In cold weather or if body muscles are stiff@ perform a few limbering exercises prior to making the lift. On lifts requiring two or more men@ take steps to inform all men to lift and set the object down at the same time so that there will be an equal distribution of the load. Face the object to be lifted. Plant feet a shoulder length apart. Find the best hand holds. Take a slight preliminary lift to get feel of object. Keep back straight. Lift with the center of strength in the legs--not in the back. Do not twist the back when handling the load. Set the load down in the same manner. To minimize back injuries@ rig personnel should use@ as much as practicable@ such mechanical equipment as catheads@ masts and booms@ pinch bars@ jacks@ come-alongs@ blocks and tackles@ all types of hoists@ etc. It is essential that the driver who transports crew members make certain that his vehicle has been loaded correctly. He should drive carefully to avoid accident and injury to the passengers. Vehicles used in the transportation of crew members should be equipped with seat belts for each passenger. In sour crude areas@ hydrogen sulfide gas is an ever-present hazard because of the extremely toxic effect on humans from relatively small concentrations. Testing equipment should be available and should be used before any area is entered where doubt exists as to the quantity of hydrogen sulfide gas present Unless tests indicate it is safe to do so@ no crew member should enter any area suspected of containing hydrogen sulfide gas unless he is equipped with suitable approved respiratory equipment and a safety belt and lifeline@ or their equivalent. For complete information@ the Bureau of Mines Circular No. 7329: Hazards of Hydrogen Sulfide IS recommended. Also refer to API Toxicological Review: Hydrogen Sulfide. Such equipment as tanks and wells which are known to contain hydrogen sulfide gas should have warning signs posted to warn all employees and other persons of the dangers."