DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Coming to work with a high sense of awareness is of utmost importance in oilfield safety. The use of drugs and alcohol can impair that sense of awareness and put the impaired and other workers at risk. As a condition of employment, all workers may be required to take drug tests after accidents, for cause, or randomly. When a worker is tested positive for drugs, they may be terminated according to company policy.
Most operators in South Texas have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for possessing drugs or alcohol while on company property. This includes drugs themselves as well as paraphernalia. One contract rig foreman learned this the hard way when some partiers in his neighborhood had tossed empty beer cans into the bed of his pickup the night before. When the pickup was selected for a random search the empty cans were found and rig foreman was issued a lifetime ban from the lease.
WEAPONS
South Texas has long had a culture of hunting and the outdoors. Workers from South Texas are often familiar with and own hunting knives and firearms. This can cause problems when the operators’ lease rules ban weapons from the lease and the workers are unaware of the rules. Most operators actually have restrictions on possessing weapons at the worksite including bans on weapons stored in personal vehicles.
Knife standards can be particularly confusing because they are used both as tools and restricted as weapons at the same time. To keep from running afoul of the lease rules, make sure to list the knife on the JSA/JHA and consider the length based on the rules and regulations. In South Texas, a blade longer than 5.5″ is illegal due to state law, although operator rules may restrict blade length down to 3.75″. San Antonio municipal code 21-17 even prohibits a locking blade folding knife in some instances. Always follow the stricter rule to keep safe and in compliance.
CELLPHONES AND ELECTRONICS
The rise of cellphones quickly received rigsite bans from the rig contractors due to the risk of wellhead gas due to a spark. Some of these restrictions have loosened over time as companies have become more familiar with and now dependent on smartphone technology to run the rigs. Cell phones, however, still pose a huge risk to wellsite safety in South Texas because they can cause a distraction hazard. When heavy machinery, high pressure, and other oilfield hazards are present then each worker needs their full attention to not be distracted by a smartphone screen. Some companies have banished cellphones to either personal vehicles or the doghouse for rig hands.
HOODIES
Hooded sweatshirts, commonly known as hoodies, are well-loved by workers across the oilfield and when made out of natural fibers can provide additional warmth during the South Texas winters. Unfortunately, the loose hood can pose a loose clothing hazard that be caught in rotating equipment. Some operators have banned hoodies on their leases due to this risk. In response, many workers have cut off the hooded part of their sweatshirts to comply with the ban while still wearing their sweatshirts.
Remember that when you are working on an operator’s property, you are in their “house” and they will be able to search your vehicle and property as they see fit. Make sure to be aware of and follow all laws and rules, choosing the strictest when these conflict.
(Read more: why is smoking banned?)
Recommended Training: PEC SafeLand
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