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903 Well Site Completion and Servicing Safety
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903 Well Site Completion and Servicing Safety

Perforating, Fracturing Fluid, Blending, and Pumping

Possible Solutions:

  • Conduct a pre-job inspection to identify and eliminate or correct hazardous work surfaces.
  • Require all non-essential personnel to stand clear of the work zone.
  • Fasten high-pressure lines together properly.
  • Conduct adequate pressure tests on pump(s) and lines and ensure proper valve alignment before pumping. Install a check valve as close to the wellhead as possible.
  • Use proper equipment inspection techniques that include hammer unions.
  • Direct equipment operators to stay by their controls.
  • Use proper equipment guards and covers.
  • Provide adequate bonding and grounding for blending, pumping and sand transfer equipment.
  • Use hose covers or shielding for transfer or suction lines containing flammable liquids to prevent them from being ruptured resulting in fires or explosions.
  • Substitute less hazardous materials.
  • Require the capping of unused fill ports (e.g., cam lock caps) on sand movers.
  • Reduce the drop height between the sand transfer belt and T-belts and blender hoppers.
  • Apply fresh water to roads and around the well site to reduce silica dust.
  • Enclose points where silica dust is released. Use local exhaust ventilation to collect silica-containing dusts and prevent dust escape. Install dust collection systems onto machines or equipment that release dust.
  • Where possible, use enclosed cabs or booths. Consider providing operator cabs and booths with HEPA filters and climate controls to further protect workers.
  • Replace proppant transfer belts with screw augers on sand movers in new designs or retrofits.
  • Ensure that workers follow the safe handling procedures found in SDSs.
  • Use proper mixing procedures.
  • Wear appropriate PPE, including respirators and eye, face and hearing protection.
  • Provide an eyewash station and other appropriate flushing equipment as recommended by the SDS.
  • Use mechanical lifting aids, proper lifting techniques and team lifting where appropriate.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-7. What is one method to reduce silica dust around the well site?

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