R614-2-17. Drilling Industry -- Air and Hydraulic Pressure

A. Safety Procedures for Air Compressors.

1. Air compressors used or operated shall be constructed, installed, operated, and repaired to conform to the Engineering Standards of ASME and ANSI.

2. All air compressors shall have at least one air pressure regulator to control proper air flow.

3. The safety relief (safety pop-off) valve on the main air tank shall be checked periodically and kept in proper working order.

4. There shall be no valve in the discharge opening of a safety relief valve or in the discharge pipe connected thereto.

5. The piping connected to the pressure side and discharge side of a safety relief valve shall not be smaller than the normal pipe size openings of the device.

6. The piping from the discharge side of the safety relief device shall be securely tied down.

7. The piping from the discharge side of the safety relief valve shall be sloped in order to drain liquids.

8. All valves and pressure control devices shall be kept in the proper working order.

9. Hydraulic pressure lines shall not be subjected to pressures exceeding those recommended by the manufacturer.

B. Hydraulic Tong Control Mechanism.

1. The input pressure line on power tongs shall be disconnected or disengaged before any repair, replacement, or other work of a similar nature is done on tongs, chains, dies, or their component parts.

2. Pressure lines (hydraulic or air) shall have a safety relief valve which shall never be set higher than manufacturer's specifications for the working pressure of the lines or valve.

3. Hydraulic tongs shall be backed up with a safety device able to withstand the full torque of the power tool.

C. Mud Pits and Tanks, Mud Pumps, Piping and Hoses.

1. All fixed mud guns used for jetting shall be pinned or hobbled when in use and unattended.

2. Hoses shall not be used for jetting operations.

3. When necessary for an employee to enter a mud tank which has contained toxic fluid, adequate personal protective equipment shall be utilized or the tank shall be purged of all harmful substances.

4. Clamps and safety lines or chains shall be used to fasten the kelly hose at the standpipe end to the derrick and at the swivel end to the swivel housing, and all other flexible mud lines shall be appropriately secured.

5. The suction pit or tanks used for the circulation of flammable materials shall not be within 75 feet of well bore.

6. All mud pumps associated with a drilling rig shall be equipped with a safety pressure relief valve and an operating gauge in the system.

7. The safety pressure relief valve shall be set to discharge at a pressure not in excess of the established working pressure of the pump, pipe, and fittings.

8. A guard shall be placed around the shearing pin and spindle of a safety pressure relief valve.

9. The discharge from a safety pressure relief valve shall be piped to a place where it will not endanger employees.

10. There shall be no valve between a pump and its safety pressure relief valve.

11. The piping connected to the pressure side and discharge side of a safety pressure relief valve shall not be smaller than the normal pipe size opening of valve.

12. The piping on the discharge side of a safety pressure relief valve shall be properly secured.