Advances in drilling rig automation have dramatically increased overall safety and efficiency by mechanizing activities traditionally accomplished by personnel working on the drill floor. However, these laborsaving machines also pose new challenges for maintaining a safe operating environment where man and machine must share the same workspace. This paper will explore a new system designed to reduce the likelihood of injuries caused by man-machine interference while also improving efficiency. The paper will discuss the methodology behind this personnel monitoring system and its potential to further improve rig safety.

Keywords:
installation, upstream oil & gas, injury, iron roughneck, spe 84352, hep, personnel, transponder, hep system, new technology explored jason
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Drilling Equipment, Health, Safety, Ergonomics, Human factors (engineering and behavioral aspects)
Copyright 2003, Society of Petroleum Engineers
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.