Job Description

Derrickhand

The Derrickhand is responsible for the mud systems. This includes measuring mud weight and viscosity, mixing chemicals, and maintaining mud pumps, shakers, and tanks. Other responsibilities include steadying pipe during connections/disconnections and guiding pipe into and out of elevators. The Derrickhand works closely with and oversees the Floorhands and Motorhand and works under the supervision of the Driller and assists in day-to-day operations.

The Derrickhand must stand or stand and walk for a minimum of 3.5 hours and up to 12 hours without being able to sit and while wearing steel-toed boots. They must frequently climb steep stairs, ladders, and work while wearing a harness on an elevated platform. They independently use heavy-duty handheld and long-handled tools and utilize proper hand signals when working on the board to communicate with others. The Derrickhand works independently while staying on task for the majority of the tour work shift and demonstrates clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English as well as understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English.

The Derrickhand takes initiative and works independently during downtime, frequently measures mud weight and viscosity using a scale and timer, and regularly maintains and inspects mud systems (mud levels, pumps, shakers, and tanks). They regularly check rig and equipment for problems and safety issues on an ongoing basis and perform preventative maintenance on all equipment above the rig floor and all equipment associated with the drilling fluid system. The Derrickhand performs general upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning, painting, washing of equipment and related housekeeping duties. They wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times which could include but is not limited to: hard hat, safety glasses, coveralls, work gloves, respirator, and hearing protection.

The Derrickhand inspects the following items in the derrick every tour: all hanging sheaves for wear and grease; all lights on derrick; boom and boom lines; derrick climbing device and derrick ladder; and the stand pipe and Kelly hose. They work in a heavy industrial environment which includes working around constantly moving overhead machinery, being in close proximity to loud equipment and handling potentially hazardous chemicals. The Derrickhand performs daily inspections of the following: crown block (sheaves and cables); proper working order of the shale shaker (grease bearings, check or loose bolts and replace screens as required); mud agitators; mud mixing equipment; and mud pumps. They quickly follow instructions from Mud Engineer and Driller to ensure operational mud systems and handle and mix hazardous chemicals into the mud as directed by Mud Engineer, while properly using required Personal Protective Equipment.

The Derrickhand prepares stands and steadies and guides pipe into and out of elevators during drilling activities, ensures correct mud pit valves are open / closed, monitors Floorhands who are assisting in the pits or with chemical sacks, and performs general upkeep and housekeeping of mud pit area. They assist with rig up / down procedures and support other crew members as needed, ensure compliance with safety procedures, and other additional tasks as assigned. Other duties as assigned that may be outside of this job description.

The Derrickhand must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete all duties of a Floorhand and Motorhand, be comfortable working at heights (50 ft. or greater) for extended periods of time, and be able to repetitively climb steep stairs and be able to lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces. They must frequently climb ladders and work while wearing a harness on an elevated platform. The Derrickhand demonstrates clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English, understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English; along with the ability to provide clear and understandable verbal, non-verbal and written direction to others in English. They bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and crawl throughout the tour work shift, have clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of surroundings, work with moving pipe, watch and report ongoing work activities to coworkers and third parties, and have accurate recall over short and long-term memory.

The Derrickhand able to stay alert and focused up to 12.5 hours while performing repetitive and routine activities, maintain spatial orientation and awareness to safely move around work environment with many moving objects, and be willing to travel to and work in remote locations on a rotational schedule which consists of 14 days on / 14 days off, working 12.5 hour shifts that can include days or nights and as well as weekends and holidays. They must be willing to work mandatory and unscheduled hours outside of your assigned schedule with little or no advanced notice and be willing and able to attend and successfully complete classroom training and testing to qualify for a rig assignment. They must be able to successfully meet pre-employment testing requirements which may include, without limitation, pre-employment drug and alcohol test(s) and background checks as well as drug and/or alcohol testing periodically during employment (subject to state and federal laws).

Forklift Certification or willingness to complete Forklift Certification training within 60 days is required. Minimum qualifications include six (6) months of experience as a Derrickhand on a drilling rig and twelve (12) months of stable related work history. Must be comfortable working at heights (50ft. or greater). Preferred qualifications include a High School Diploma or GED, valid Well Control Certification, IADC WellSHARP, and previous experience as a Motorhand on a drilling rig.

This position requires the person to work outdoors for an entire tour work shift in all kinds of weather conditions, including precipitation, cold / heat, high wind, and turbulent conditions. They will be exposed to the typical conditions of the local area where the rig is located. Southern states generally experience hot summers where temperatures range from 80° to low 100° with high humidity; winters have temperatures that generally do not go below 20°. Northern states generally have hot summers with similar conditions and have cold, windy winters, with low temperatures that can be as cold as -40°.

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