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Emergencies

Module 8

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ObjectivesObjectives• After this module you should be able to– identify the most common emergency

situations– discuss the elements of a company’s

emergency plans

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your company must have an emergency action plan and should have BOP drills and fire drills

the emergency action plan must be available for workers to review

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Emergency Action Plan ElementsEmergency Action Plan Elements• Procedures for reporting a fire or other

emergency• Procedures for emergency evacuation,

including type of evacuation and exit route assignments

• Procedures to be followed by workers who remain to operate critical rig operations before they evacuate

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Emergency Action Plan ElementsEmergency Action Plan Elements• Procedures to account for all workers after

evacuation• Procedures to be followed by workers

performing rescue or medical duties • The name or job title of every employee

who may be contacted by workers who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan

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911911• 911 will be used on all sites unless the

service does not exist in that area• Your company will determine availability• Satellite phones or 2-way radios may be

used when cell phone reception cannot be achieved

911

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Geronimo LineGeronimo Line• Setting up the geronimo line– periodically checked, adjusted if necessary– 6-12 feet of sag in the middle– anchor point on ground should be at least 2

times the distance from the derrick as its starting point is high

– anchor point should be able withstand a 3000 pound force

• You should be trained on its use• Never ride unless in an emergency

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this geronimo line has been tied off to the ladder, an insufficient anchor point

Corrective Action: contact your supervisor and arrange for the anchor point to be moved to the derrick

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Medical EmergenciesMedical Emergencies• Oil and gas operations are often in remote

areas far from emergency medical care– establish a site-wide communication system

and a reliable way of contacting EMS on the work site; identify areas of cell phone reception or the phone(s) to be used in the event of an emergency

– review the emergency plan and procedures for emergency contact with the employees at all work sites

– discuss what to do if a serious injury occurs

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First Aid KitsFirst Aid Kits• First aid kits should be– kept clean– well stocked– inspected often– available when needed– kept in a visible location– located throughout the site– marked clearly with signage

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first aid kits must be checked regularly and restocked when necessary

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Eye Wash Stations and ShowersEye Wash Stations and Showers• Many corrosive materials are used in the

oil and gas industry• The eyes and body may be harmfully

exposed to these materials• Suitable facilities for quick drenching or

flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided on the site for emergency use

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this is an example of an emergency shower

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this is an example of an emergency eye wash station

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eye wash stations should be located throughout the site

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this first aid station is blocked

Corrective Action: the space in front of emergency equipment should remain accessible at all times

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this fire extinguisher is visible, free of obstructions, and ready for use

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FireFire

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Fire Protection ElementsFire Protection Elements• Portable fire extinguishers• Fire and employee alarm systems• Controlling sources of ignition• Storage of flammable materials• Disposal of flammable materials

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Preventing FiresPreventing Fires• Never store flammables in open or

unapproved containers• Store flammables in a special storage

cabinet that is well marked with warning signs for everyone to see

• Control all ignition sources around flammable liquids

• Smoke in designated areas only

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Keep Away Sources of IgnitionKeep Away Sources of Ignition• Open flames• Smoking• Cutting or welding• Static electricity• Hot surfaces• Electrical and mechanical sparks• Sparking tools or devices• Lightning

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Disposing of Oil-Soaked RagsDisposing of Oil-Soaked Rags• Dispose of oil-soaked rags in a metal

container with a tight-fitting lid– keeps oxygen away and reduces chance of

fire– when exposed to air, some rags can produce

enough heat to spontaneously ignite

• Mark these special containers as “Oil-Soaked Rags ONLY”

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• Must maintain in a fully charged and operable condition

• Must keep in their designated places at all times except during use

• Visually inspect portable extinguishers and hoses monthly

• Must conduct an annual maintenance check

Extinguisher MaintenanceExtinguisher Maintenance

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Employee TrainingEmployee Training• Your company must familiarize workers

with the general principles of fire extinguisher use

• This training must be given at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter

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PASSPASS

PULL AIM

SQEEZE SWEEP

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Extinguisher ClassificationExtinguisher Classification• Class A– ordinary combustibles (wood, cloth, paper)

• Class B– flammable liquids, gases, greases

• Class C– energized electrical equipment

• Class D– combustible metals

• Class K– kitchen grease

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Pressure ReleasePressure Release• A pressure release occurs when a high-

pressure line or hose fails at either one of the connection points or at some point along its length

• This can cause injury to a worker in several ways including– the actual fluid or gas in the line or hose– the line or hose whipping uncontrollably

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existing wellheads on site should be barricaded and caged

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hoses can become damaged with nicks, cuts, or gouges and could burst

inspect cables and hoses frequently for damage

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high-pressure lines can disconnect from their fittings and whip around uncontrolled

properly install whip checks on all high-pressure lines; ensure that fitting connections are secure

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a coupling connection for a flow line during the air drilling phase

use a chain with a ratcheting system to keep connection tight and to keep lines from whipping in case of a failure/disconnect

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depending on the pressure involved, this line could kick up and strike you

use some type of device to secure the line to the ground or to keep workers out of the area

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a worker working around this line could get struck by it when it kicks

Corrective Action: ensure that lines are properly secured to prevent line from kicking up or barricade area around line to prevent entry

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Applicable StandardsApplicable Standards• 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans• 1910 Subpart L Fire Protection• 1926.35 Employee Emergency Action

Plans• 1926 Subpart F Fire Protection and

Prevention

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Your Employer Is Responsible Your Employer Is Responsible ForFor

• Informing workers of the fire and pressure release hazards to which they are exposed

• Preparing, implementing, and training on emergency action plans for all types of foreseeable emergencies

• Responding to and correcting hazards pointed out by you, the worker

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You Are Responsible ForYou Are Responsible For• Being familiar with and following your

company’s emergency action plan• Knowing what to do in the event of a

medical emergency• Doing your part to prevent fires and

pressure release• Correcting the hazards you are able to

correct• Reporting to your supervisor the hazards

you are unable to correct

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Case StudyCase Study• A rig hand discovered a co-worker lying

motionless. He responded by checking for vital signs and found none. He went to the nearest first aid kit to obtain a clear mouth barrier to begin CPR. The barrier was missing. The county coroner stated that the additional time needed to find a barrier may contributed to loss of life.

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Always RememberAlways Remember• Review the emergency action plans and

the fire prevention plans• You can prevent fires and pressure

releases by taking appropriate actions• Before beginning a job in a new area,

locate the nearest– fire extinguisher– eyewash station– emergency shower– emergency exit route

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Memory CheckMemory Check1. How much should a properly tensioned

geronimo escape line sag in the middle?a. 1-2 feetb. 3-5 feetc. 6-12 feetd. it should not sag at all

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Memory CheckMemory Check2. First aid kits should be

a. located in a visible locationb. fully stockedc. available for used. all of the above

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Memory CheckMemory Check3. According to OSHA, how often must

portable fire extinguishers be visually inspected?

a. dailyb. weeklyc. monthlyd. annually