Occupational Health and Safety Code

750

This Part applies to activities and ancillary processes associated with the exploration for, drilling for and extraction of oil, gas or geothermal energy and the decommissioning of related wells.

751.1

Before a worker comes on to a work site for the first time, a prime contractor or, if there is no prime contractor, an employer must ensure the worker completes site-specific orientation that encompasses

(a) site-specific hazards,

(b) work procedures that must be followed,

(c) hazard controls in place to protect workers,

(d) required personal protective equipment,

(e) an emergency response plan,

(f) processes for reporting hazards,

(g) site-specific processes for addressing undue hazards, work refusals and resolution, and

(h) any other matter required to ensure the health and safety of workers at the work site.

752.1

A prime contractor or, if there is no prime contractor, an employer must prepare, construct and lay out the work site to ensure

(a) the safe installation, operation, mobilization, demobilization and movement of all equipment that will be required for the work being performed,

(b) the support of the gross weight of the equipment under maximum loads, and

(c) that emergency response activities can be carried out safely.

752.2

If a flammable or combustible substance is used to purge piping, a prime contractor or, if there is no prime contractor, an employer must ensure workers are protected from fire and explosion hazards.

752.3

A prime contractor or, if there is no prime contractor, an employer must ensure that firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers, is

(a) provided in sufficient quantities and appropriate types to address all fire hazards that may arise, and

(b) located in all areas where fire hazards are or may be present.

753(1)

An employer must ensure that the maximum safe operating load of a derrick or mast is prominently displayed on the derrick or mast.

753(2)

If a structural modification or repair is made to a derrick or mast, an employer must ensure that

(a) the structural modification or repair is certified by a professional engineer,

(b) the maximum safe operating load of the derrick or mast is determined and certified by a professional engineer, and

(c) the load marking on the derrick or mast is replaced if the maximum safe operating load is changed.

754(1)

An employer must ensure that, before a derrick or mast is erected or brought down, a competent worker inspects all of its parts to verify all equipment and component parts are secured and safe to operate.

754(2)

An employer must ensure that when a mast is hoisted

(a) rigging is attached to designated lifting points only, and

(b) lifting points are clearly marked on each mast of the derrick.

755

An employer must ensure that a report is made of

(a) any repairs performed to equipment used, and

(b) any inspection or results of a pull test required to be performed under this Part on a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment.

755.1(1)

An employer that rents or leases equipment from a supplier must

(a) make reports of inspections and repairs done to the equipment, and

(b) ensure that the supplier is provided with a copy of any such report.

755.1(2)

A supplier that rents or leases equipment to an employer at a work site must

(a) make reports of inspections and repairs done by the supplier to the equipment,

(b) ensure that a report made under this subsection is provided to an employer that rents or leases the equipment, and

(c) ensure that a report made under subsection (1) is provided to any subsequent employer that rents or leases the equipment.

756(1)

An employer must ensure that no worker slides down a pipe, kelly hose, cable or rope on a derrick or mast unless the line is part of a means of escape and there is an emergency.

756(2)

A worker must not slide down a pipe, kelly hose, cable or rope on a derrick or mast unless the line is part of a means of escape and there is an emergency.

758(1)

An employer must ensure that a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment is inspected by a competent worker

(a) before it is placed into service, and

(b) at reasonably practicable intervals for as long as it is in service.

758(2)

An employer must ensure that no worker works on a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment until the following are installed and secure:

(a) guards;

(b) platforms, stairways, handrails and guardrails;

(c) the emergency escape line and its components;

(d) fastening devices required in the erection of the rig and its substructure.

758(3)

Subsection (2) does not apply to a worker installing and securing the items referred to in subsection (2)(a) to (d).

761(1)

An employer must ensure that a floor enclosure on a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment has exits to ground level that open away from the well bore.

761(2)

An employer must ensure that a catwalk on a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment has a stairway or another means of safe egress at the end farthest from the well bore.

762(1)

An employer must ensure that the emergency means of escape from the principal working platform of a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment is visually inspected by a competent worker at least once every 7 days.

762(2)

If the emergency means of escape includes using an anchored line, an employer must ensure the line is able to successfully withstand a pull test load of 13.3 kilonewtons at the time of its installation

762(3)

If emergency escape equipment is used as part of the emergency means of escape, an employer must ensure that it is

(a) kept at the principal working platform when not in use, and

(b) easily accessible to workers in an emergency.

763(1)

An employer must ensure that all guy lines and anchors are installed and pull tested in accordance with

(a) the manufacturer’s specifications,

(b) specifications certified by a professional engineer, or

(c) API RP 4G, Operation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Drilling and Well Servicing Structures, 5th Edition, February 2019, including the 2020 addendums.

763(2)

An employer must ensure that the specifications applied under subsection (1) for the correct number and proper spacing of guy lines are on a plate attached to the derrick, mast, snubbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment.

765(1)

An employer must ensure that, if a trailer is used as a pipe rack, the trailer

(a) has guardrails and toe boards along the full length of both sides of the trailer,

(b) has a stairway at the end farthest from the rig floor,

(c) is constructed so that the lower end of the pipe does not roll off the trailer when the pipe is hoisted into the derrick. and

(d) is secured against movement.

765(2)

An employer must ensure that, when standing drill pipes, drill collars, tubing and casing are racked in a derrick, all fluids are completely drained from the standing drill pipes, drill collars, tubing and casing.

765(3)

An employer must ensure that drill pipes, drill collars, tubing, casing and rods that are racked in a derrick or mast are secured and cannot fall out of or across the derrick or mast.

766(1)

An employer must ensure that the function or action of each operating control on a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment is clearly marked on or near the  control.

766(2)

A worker who is operating the drawworks must ensure that all other workers are clear of the machinery and lines before the drawworks is put into motion.

767(1)

An employer must ensure that the drawworks brakes of a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment are tested at the beginning of each work shift and inspected at least once every 7 days to ensure they are in good working order.

767(2)

Unless drawworks have an automatic feed control, an employer must ensure that drawworks brakes are not left unattended without first being secured in the "on" or "engaged" position.

767(3)

An employer must ensure that, except during drilling, drawworks controls are not left unattended while the hoisting drum is in motion.

768

An employer must ensure that the hoist mechanism of a drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment has a reliable weight indicator that

(a) is secured against falling by a secondary cable or chain if it is hung above the derrick or mast floor, and

(b) is calibrated at least annually if a minimum interval between calibrations is not stated in the manufacturer's specifications.

769(1)

An employer must ensure that each hook of a travelling block has a safety latch, mousing, shackle or equivalent positive locking device.

769(2)

An employer must ensure that the travelling block and each hook, elevator, elevator link and unit of travelling equipment is free from projecting bolts, nuts, pins or other parts.

769(3)

An employer must ensure that an upward travel limiting device

(a) is installed on every drilling rig, service rig, snubbing unit, swabbing unit or other well servicing or drilling equipment,

(a.1) is tested at least once during each work shift, and

(b) prevents the travelling block from contacting the crown structure by disengaging the power to the hoisting drum and applying brakes.

770(1)

Subject to subsection (2), an employer must ensure that a travelling block, a tugger or a raising system is not used to raise or lower a worker unless allowed by the manufacturer's specifications.

770(2)

Subsection (1) does not apply in an emergency to rescue a worker from a derrick if

(a) the rotary table is stopped, and

(b) the worker operating the control of the travelling block, tugger or raising system is a worker designated under section 117.

771(1)

An employer must ensure that rope-operated catheads are not used at a work site.

771(2)

An employer must ensure that each automatic cathead has separate controls unless

(a) the cathead has dual-purpose controls, and

(b) a locking device is installed to prevent one cathead from being engaged unintentionally while another cathead is in operation.

773(1)

An employer must ensure that a danger zone is established and clearly marked around a rotary table.

773(2)

When a rotary table is in motion, an employer must ensure that

(a) no worker enters the danger zone, and

(b) no loose material or equipment is located in the danger zone.

773(3)

Despite subsection (2), an employer may allow a worker and equipment within the rotary table danger zone while the rotary table is in motion if the employer ensures that

(a) the rotary table is restricted to a slow rate of speed,

(b) the rotary table is under the continuous control of a designated worker positioned at the rotary table controls,

(c) the area around the rotary table is clear of any equipment that may contact the rotating equipment,

(d) workers positioning slips or tongs remain clear of rotating equipment, and

(e) all lines attached to tongs are placed outside of the direct line of rotating slips.

773(4)

Prior to initiating or resuming drilling operations, the employer must ensure that all workers are positioned outside of the rotary table danger zone and that all equipment is stored clear of the danger zone.

774

An employer must ensure that a rotary tong has

(a) a primary device that prevents uncontrolled movement of the tong, and

(b) a secondary device that prevents uncontrolled movement of the tong if the primary device fails.

775

An employer must ensure that the lowest position of a counterweight above a derrick or mast floor is kept at a height so that the counterweight cannot come into contact with any worker unless the worker is otherwise protected from contact with the counterweight.

776(1)

An employer must ensure that when a positive displacement pump is used to pump incompressible fluids

(a) the positive displacement pump and its attachments have valves, pipes and fittings rated equal to or greater than the pump’s maximum working pressure,

(b) the positive displacement pump is protected against freezing,

(c) except in the case of a pumping wellhead, a pressure relief device is installed on the discharge side of a positive displacement pump,

(d) a valve is not installed between the pressure relief device and the positive displacement pump,

(e) piping on the discharge side of the pressure relief device does not have a valve,

(f) if shear pins are used in a pressure relief device, they are of the design and strength specified in the manufacturer's specifications,

(g) the fluids or materials discharged through a pressure relief device are piped to a place where they will not endanger workers,

(h) piping connected to the pressure side and discharge side of the pressure relief device is not smaller than the normal pipe-size openings of the device, and

(i) piping from the discharge side of the pressure relief device is continuously sloped to drain fluids and protect fluids from freezing.

776(2)

An employer must ensure that pipes and fittings installed and maintained at a work site meet the requirements of ASME B1.20.1-2013 (R2018), Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch), for threaded connections. 

776(3)

An employer must ensure that a mud gun used for jetting is secured against movement.

776(4)

For a wellhead using a down-hole positive displacement pump, an employer must ensure that the pump is prevented from creating pressures that exceed the pressure rating of the piping and pumping system.

776(5)

An employer must ensure that no valve is closed on the discharge line of a positive displacement pump while the pump is in operation.

776(6)

A worker must not close a valve on a discharge line of a positive displacement pump while the pump is in operation.

776.1(1)

An employer must ensure that a piping system is

(a) designed and assembled to withstand the maximum anticipated pressures, and

(b) tested when it is initially installed and after any modifications to it to verify that it can withstand the maximum anticipated pressures.

776.1(2)

An employer must ensure that

(a) any energy that may be released from pressurized equipment is directed away from workers, or

(b) there is shielding, restraints or other controls in place to protect workers.

776.1(3)

If a piping system at the work site may exceed 3000 kilopascals, an employer must ensure that

(a) the flow piping system connections are welded, flanged or have hammer unions, or

(b) if the only connection on the wellhead is a threaded connection that is integral to the wellhead, the component parts of that threaded connection are compatible with each other.

776.1(4)

Before a valve or other system component is disassembled, an employer must ensure that the valve or other system component is drained, depressurized, purged or otherwise made safe in accordance with section 215.4.

776.1(5)

An employer must ensure that

(a) piping systems are depressurized safely,

(b) pipe blockages are cleared safely, and

(c) workers are not exposed to any hazards associated with pipes freezing.

777(1)

An employer must ensure that ignition sources do not create a fire or explosion hazard when fluids containing a flammable or combustible substance are circulated through equipment or piping.

777(2)

An employer must ensure that an enclosed rig tank or pit is properly vented and that vented harmful substances are directed away from workers and ignition sources.

779(1)

This section applies to drill stem testing operations.

779(2)

An employer must ensure that after fluids are encountered while tripping out, workers use the mud can and test plug on every joint of pipe disconnected, unless the drill stem contents have been pumped out and replaced with drilling fluid.

779(3)

An employer must ensure that

(a) testing is performed for the presence of hydrogen sulphide and hydrocarbons if oil, water or gas is encountered during the drill stem testing, and

(b) if hydrogen sulphide is present, the sour fluids in the drill stem are displaced with drilling fluid and circulated to a flare pit or a holding tank that is at least 50 metres from the well.

779(4)

An employer must ensure that

(a) motors and engines that are not required in the testing operation are shut off, and

(b) there are no motor vehicles within 25 metres of the well bore.

779(5)

An employer must ensure that, if test fluid recovery is encountered during darkness,

(a) liquids are reverse circulated, or

(b) if reverse circulation is not practicable because the pump out sub has failed, additional drill pipe is not pulled and disconnected until daylight.

780(1)

This section applies to well swabbing operations.

780(2)

An employer must ensure that

(a) swabbing units are anchored securely against movement,

(b) fluids are piped directly to a battery, skid tank, mobile trailer or tank truck, and

(c) the battery, skid tank, mobile trailer or tank truck is located at least 50 metres from the well bore.

780(3)

An employer must ensure that, if fluids are piped to a tank truck,

(a) the engine of the truck is shut off, and

(b) no worker is present in the cab of the truck while fluids are transferred to the truck.

780(4)

A worker must not be present in the cab of a tank truck while fluids are transferred to that truck.

780(5)

Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply if the engine of a tank truck must be running to operate the hydraulic or generator systems and the engine is equipped with a positive air shutoff system.

780(6)

If workers are working during darkness, an employer must ensure that

(a) there is auxiliary lighting providing sufficient illumination,

(b) rig lighting is turned off if it is not designed for use in an explosive atmosphere,

(c) sandline flags are illuminated and acid resistant,

(d) wind direction indicators are illuminated and appropriately located around the site, and

(e) atmospheric monitoring equipment is used.

781(1)

This section applies to well servicing operations.

781(2)

An employer must ensure that

(a) when hydrocarbons are circulated through equipment or piping, the air intake and exhaust of the pump motor are located at least 7 metres away from the rig tank, and

(b) if a tank truck is being loaded or unloaded, it is located at least 7 metres away from the rig tank in a direction away from the well bore.

781(3)

An employer must ensure that, before fluids are unloaded into the wellhead, a hydraulic pressure test of the lines between the pump and the wellhead is performed to verify that the system is operating properly.

781(4)

An employer must ensure that the controls on oil savers can be readily operated by a worker on the rig floor.

782(1)

This section applies to well stimulation.

782(2)

An employer must ensure that, if a working pressure of 2000 kilopascals or more is applied to the piping system,

(a) a danger zone between a pump or sand concentrator and the wellhead is established and clearly marked,

(b) all equipment can be controlled from outside the danger zone, and

(c) no worker enters the danger zone.

782(3)

Despite subsection (2), an employer may permit a worker to enter the danger zone to perform necessary work if the pump is disengaged before that worker enters the danger zone.

782(4)

An employer must ensure that when liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen is being used at the work site

(a) the valve controls and workers are positioned on the side of the piping unit opposite to the side of the pipe supplying the well,

(b) a check valve is installed as close as is reasonably practicable to the wellhead except while cementing or selective acidizing is occurring, and

(c) a bleed-off valve is installed between a check valve and the wellhead.

784

An employer must ensure that containers, piping and fittings used in collecting gas samples are designed, used and transported in such a way as to prevent unintended release of their contents.