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902 Well Site Preparation and Drilling Safety
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Mud Circulating System

Maintenance activities involved with the mud circulating system include inspecting, adjusting, servicing on equipment such as mud pumps, hoses, hose connections, pop-off valve, shale shakers, belts, and guards.

Circulating equipment includes mud pumps.

A mud pump is a large, high-pressure reciprocating pump used to circulate the mud on a drilling rig. A typical mud pump is a two or three-cylinder piston pump whose replaceable pistons travel in replaceable liners and are driven by a crankshaft actuated by an engine or a motor.

Potential Hazards

  • being caught between, or struck by equipment
  • slips, trips, and falls
  • receiving a foreign body or fluid in the eye
  • burned by fluid contact
  • drowning in mud tank/pit
  • receiving strains and sprains

Possible Solutions

  • Use proper lockout/tagout procedures.
  • Wear personal protective equipment (such as hard hats, work gloves, safety shoes, and eye protection).
  • Be aware of the slipping and falling hazards when working on the mud circulating system.
  • Provide guardrails and guards around mud tanks.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

8-5. What is the best way to prevent a caught- in or caught-between accident while circulating equipment is operating?