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Addressing Diesel Engine Safety in Your Contractor Agreement

Addressing Diesel Engine Safety in Your Contractor Agreement
Addressing Diesel Engine Safety in Your Contractor Agreement

It’s a common practice for exploration and production (E&P) companies to contract certain aspects of the drilling, servicing, and production of oil and gas wells. Important tasks such as drilling and fracturing operations are typically contracted out to various service companies who send out their own employees and equipment to perform them.

A critical aspect of contract work is the contractor safety agreement or policy that is established between the contracted company and the E&P company. While these contracted companies typically have internal safety policies of their own, a safety agreement helps establish accountability and responsibility between both parties and sets a precedent for the level of occupational safety that is expected on site.

In an industry that has seen a fatality rate that is six times higher than the national average [1], contractor safety policies should bring attention to all recognized dangers, even if the probability of occurrence is low. This includes recognizing diesel engines as a potential ignition source in hazardous work environments and requiring them to be equipped with an air shut off system in order to prevent engine runaway.

Diesel Engine Safety

During typical wellsite operations, flammable gases and                                                                                  vapors can escape the well and spread throughout the surrounding environment.  That is why one of the most important sections of a contractor safety policy is the one that pertains to fire protection and prevention. In fact, according to the National STEPS Network, between 2005 and 2015, 85 people lost their lives due to fire and explosions during upstream oil and gas operations with 27 of those coming from auxiliary and mobile engines [2].  

So, what role do diesel engines play in that?  

As mentioned earlier, a diesel engine has the potential to become an ignition source in a hazardous work environment. Due to their compression-ignition design, they rely on clean air drawn in through the intake to operate. If flammable vapors are present, the engine will draw these in and use them as an uncontrolled fuel source until the air supply is cut off or the fuel source is removed.

If not stopped immediately, it can cause the engine to overspeed, the valves to bounce, and flames can pass through the manifold. These flames can ignite the flammable vapors present and cause catastrophic accidents and injuries. One well-known example of this occurring during upstream operations is the Deepwater Horizon explosion that happened in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010.

Contract Work and Diesel Engines

As stated above, typical contract work ranges from a variety of jobs including the drilling, servicing, and fracturing of a well. In almost every instance, diesel engines are used to complete these jobs by powering drilling and servicing rigs, frac pump units, coiled tubing units, and many other important pieces of equipment. The following image is a good example of just how many diesel engines can be present on-site while contract work is being performed. 

You can address this danger in the safety agreement to ensure that diesel engines brought on-site by contractors are accounted for and protected. AMOT suggests including a statement in the safety agreement such as, “Contractors shall equip diesel-powered equipment being placed within 50 feet of a wellhead with an automatic air shut off system.”

How can AMOT Help? 

While implementing a new safety policy may seem overwhelming, AMOT can help make this task simple. For over 45 years, we have helped companies in the oil and gas industry amend their safety policies so that it addresses diesel engine safety, thus resulting in a safer environment.

Contact us today and one of our safety advocates can conduct a free assessment of diesel engine risks entering your site and help you get started on protecting your people and equipment from the dangers of diesel engine runaway.

 

Sources

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/oilgas/burden.html

[2]  https://www.nationalstepsnetwork.com/hazard-alerts/2017/5/31/mobile-engine-hazard-alert

February 3, 2021 210 view(s)
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