74 text Recommended Practice for Occupational Safety for Onshore Oil and Gas Production Operation API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 74 FIRST EDITION, OCTOBER 2001 REAFFIRMED, JANUARY 2013 Recommended Practice[.]
Purpose
This document aims to provide recommendations for ensuring safe working conditions for personnel involved in onshore oil and gas production, including specialized services.
Scope
These recommendations apply to production operations as deịned herein For information on drilling, well servicing and workover operations, see API RP 54.
Responsibility
These recommendations acknowledge the distinct responsibilities of owners, operators, contractors, and their personnel, which may be defined by contracts To promote safe work practices, each employer must offer appropriate training and instruction to their staff Importantly, these recommendations are not intended to change the existing contractual relationships among the involved parties.
Well owners and operators must provide essential information to contractors to ensure safe operations Each work activity should be supervised by an authorized individual who can initiate, adjust, or halt operations as needed for the safety of personnel and the public This authorized person is responsible for monitoring changing conditions and enhancing work methods to ensure maximum protection for all involved.
The following publications are either referenced in this rec- ommended practice or would be useful in its implementation:
Spec 6A Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
RP 11ER Guarding of Pumping Units (ANSI)
Spec 12J Oil and Gas Separators
Spec 12K Indirect-Type Oil Field Heaters
Spec 12L Vertical and Horizontal Emulsion Heaters
RP12N Operations, Maintenance and Testing of
RP 12R1 Setting, Maintenance, Inspection, Opera- tion, and Repair of Tanks in Production Service
RP49 Drilling and Well Servicing Operations
RP 54 Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well
RP 55 Oil and Gas Production and Gas Process- ing Plant Operations Involving Hydrogen Sulịde
RP 75 Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Manage- ment Program for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Operations and Facilities
RP 500 Classiịcation of Locations for Electrical
Installations at Petroleum Facilities Clas- siịed as Class I, Division 1 and Division 2
RP505 Classiịcation of Locations for Electrical
Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classi- ịed as Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2
Publ 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: Mainte- nance Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration
Publ 520 Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pres- sure-Relieving Devices in Reịneries
Publ 521 Guide for Pressure-Relieving and Depres- suring Systems
RP 750 Management of Process Hazards
RP 752 Management of Hazards Associated with
Location of Process Plant Buildings, CMA Managers Guide
Publ 761 Model Risk Management Program Guid- ance for E&P FacilitiesẹGuidance for Complying with EPÃs Rule (40 CFR 68) Std 1104 Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities
RP 1107 Pipeline Maintenance Welding Practices
RP 2003 Protection Against Ignitions Arising Out of
Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents
Publ 2009 Safe Welding and Cutting Practices in
Reịneries, Gasoline Plants, and Petro- chemical Plants
Std 2015 Safe Entry and Cleaning Petroleum Stor- age Tanks
Publ 2201 Procedures for Welding or Hot Tapping on
Publ 2207 Preparing Tank Bottoms for Hot Work
Publ 2217A Guidelines for Work in Inert Conịned
Spaces in the Petroleum Industry
RP 2220 Improving Owner and Contractor Safety
RP 2221 Managers Guide to Implementing a Con- tractor Safety Program
Publ 2510 Design and Construction of Liqueịed
Publ 2510A Fire-Protection Considerations for the
Design and Operation of Liqueịed Petro- leum Gas (LPG) Storage Facilities
Publ 9100 Model Environmental Health and Safety
Management System and Guidance Document
Threshold Limit Values and Biological Indices
Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recom- mended Practice, 22nd Edition
B15.1 Safety Standard for Mechanical Power
S1.13-1995 Measurement of Sound Pressure Levels in
S12.6-1997 Methods for Measuring the Real-Ear
S12.36 Survey Methods for the Determination of
Sound Power Levels of Noise Sources
Z87.1 Standard Practice for Occupational and
Educational Eye and Face Protection
Z87.2 Safety Requirements for Industrial Protec- tive Helmets for Electrical Workers, Class B
Z89.1 Safety Requirements for Industrial Head
Z117.1-1995 Safety Requirements for Conịned Space
Z359.1 Safety Requirements for Personal Fall
Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sections VIII and IX
Recommended Practice No ASNT-TC-1A
NACE 6 Std MR0175 Requirements for Sulịde Stress Cracking
Resistant Metallic Material for Oil Field Equipment
NFPA 7 NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
NFPA 51B Standard for Fire Prevention in Use of
NFPA 58 Standard for the Storage and Handling of
NFPA 77 Recommended Practice on Static Electricity
This publication includes definitions and abbreviations to clarify specific terms It is important for users to understand that some of these terms may have different meanings or applications in other contexts.
Adequate ventilation is essential for preventing fires and explosions It refers to sufficient natural or artificial airflow that prevents the buildup of vapor-air mixtures at concentrations exceeding 10% of their lower explosive limit (LEL).
3.2 ANSI: American National Standards Institute.
3.4 approved: Sanctioned, endorsed, accredited, certi- ịed, or accepted by a duly constituted and recognized author- ity or agency
1American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1330
Kemper Meadow Drive, Suite 600, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240-1634.
2American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New
3Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, 120 Wall
Street, New York, New York 10005-4001.
4ASME International, 3 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016-
5American Society of Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlington Lane, Columbus, Ohio 43228.
6NACE International, 1440 South Creek Drive, P.O Box 218340, Houston, Texas 77218-8340.
7National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101.
8Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S Department of Labor, Washington, D.C 20402
R ECOMMENDED P RACTICE FOR O CCUPATIONAL S AFETY FOR O NSHORE O IL AND G AS P RODUCTION O PERATIONS 3
3.5 ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.
3.6 authorized person: A qualiịed person assigned by an employer to perform or supervise the performance of a speciịc type of duty or duties at the work site.
3.7 cellar: Excavation around the wellhead to provide space for items of equipment at the top of the wellbore.
3.8 Christmas tree: The valves and ịttings assembled at the top of a completed well to control the òow of hydrocar- bons and other òuids See API Spec 6A.
3.9 combustible liquid: Any liquid having a òash-point at or above 100¡F
3.10 contractor: Any person or company that contracts or subcontracts to perform all or any part of oil and gas well production operations.
3.11 critical equipment: Equipment and other systems determined to be essential in preventing the occurrence of, or mitigating the consequences of an uncontrolled event
3.12 electrical classification of areas: Locations are classiịed according to API RP 500 or API RP 505.
3.13 flammable liquid: Any liquid having a òashpoint below 100¡F.
The 3.14 full body harness features straps designed to secure around the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders, effectively distributing fall arrest forces It includes attachment points for connecting to other components of a personal fall arrest system.
Guarded refers to being covered, shielded, or enclosed to prevent accidental contact or dangerous approaches by individuals, animals, or objects This protection is achieved through suitable covers, casings, barrier rails, or screens.
3.16 hazardous substance: Any substance that, by rea- son of being explosive, òammable, toxic, corrosive, oxidiz- ing, irritating, or otherwise harmful, has the potential to cause injury, illness, or death.
3.17 hot oil treatment: The process of heating oil and pumping it into piping, tubing, casing, or a formation to remove parafịn.
Hot tapping, also known as pipe tapping, is a method that involves drilling a hole into the wall of a pressurized pipe This technique utilizes a specialized saddle to securely attach a valve and lubricator to the pipe, allowing for safe and efficient access without interrupting the flow of the contents within the pipeline.
3.19 hot work: Work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, grinding or similar òame or spark producing operations.
A 3.20 lanyard is a flexible line made of rope, wire rope, or strap, typically featuring connectors at both ends It is designed to attach a body belt or harness to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage, ensuring safety and security in various applications.
3.21 lockout/tagout: A procedure to control hazardous energy
3.22 NFPA: National Fire Protection Association.
3.23 operator: Lease owner or his designated agent who is responsible for the overall operation of the lease.
A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is designed to protect individuals from falls It typically includes an anchorage, a connector, and a synthetic webbing full body harness, which may also feature a lanyard and a deceleration device.
3.26 pumping unit: Surface equipment used for the pur- pose of mechanically lifting òuids from a well See API Spec 11E and API/ANSI 11ER.
A qualified person is defined as an individual who possesses a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who has demonstrated the ability to effectively solve problems related to their field through knowledge, training, or experience.
3.28 rated working pressure: The maximum internal pressure that equipment is designed to contain and/or control.
Working pressure is not to be confused with test pressure.
3.29 shall: For the purpose of this document, shall indi- cates that the recommended practice(s) has universal applica- tion to that speciịc activity.
In this document, the term "should" indicates recommended practices that are applicable when a safe alternative is available, may be impractical in specific situations, or could be deemed unnecessary for personnel safety in certain contexts.
Simultaneous operations refer to the execution of two or more activities in close proximity, including production, drilling, completion, workover, wireline (excluding routine operations), major construction operations, well testing, and maintenance.
3.32 supervisor: Person who has been given the control, direction, or supervision of work performed by one or more personnel.
3.33 well servicing: Well work involving pulling or run- ning tubulars or sucker rods, to include but not limited to redrilling, completing, recompleting, workover, and abandon- ing operations.
Personnel must receive adequate training relevant to their job responsibilities Furthermore, it is essential to conduct pre-job safety meetings that involve all affected individuals, including contractors, to discuss and clarify the responsibilities associated with the upcoming operations.
4.1.2 Personnel should receive instruction in correct work methods to reduce chance of injury to themselves or fellow personnel.
A comprehensive safety program must be established and maintained, incorporating essential elements such as confined space entry, contractor safety, electrical safety, and emergency response Key components also include fire prevention and protection, first aid, general safety rules, and hazard communication It is crucial to address hazardous environments, hot working and welding practices, and effective housekeeping Additionally, the program should cover the safe handling of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, lifting operations, lockout/tagout procedures, and the safety of equipment like hoists and cranes Regular reviews, personal protective equipment, personnel training, and production equipment safety are vital, along with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, safe use of hand tools, safety meetings, transportation safety, and trenching and excavation protocols.
Note: Appendix A and Appendix B are examples of safety checklists that may be used to periodically access lease production and com- pressor/booster stations.
4.1.4 Unsafe and potentially dangerous conditions should be eliminated immediately, if possible, or reported to the supervisor in charge for corrective action
The outgoing supervisor must communicate any known special hazards or ongoing work to the incoming supervisor to ensure crew safety It is essential to alert incoming personnel about ongoing activities that may pose safety risks.