OSHA requires Fire-Resistant Clothing for Most Oil and Gas Well Drilling Servicing...

OSHA regulation 1910.132(a) requires Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can include Fire-Resistant Clothing (FRC).  OSHA issued an interpretation on March 19, 2010, which defines the requirements for oil/gas production, drilling, and well servicing operations.

In summary FRC’s are required for drilling in active hydrocarbon zones; however, they are “usually not needed during rig-up and normal drilling…”  FRC’s are required “during well servicing or work-over operations…”  The interpretation should be referenced for more detail.

In general, the industry is aware of the requirement for FRC’s as evidenced by the following references:

To see the list of items visit the below link...
SEAL Consultant No. 2 - October - November - December 2011

If you need more information, contact or email Frank Johnson, CSP, P.E. at 800-624-0905.

Fuel Contamination Breakdown?

If there is water in the fuel system, and the vehicle breaks down, is that a fuel contamination problem? How about particles of dirt in the fuel, or rust in the fuel? In this article, we’ll discuss fuel contamination in general terms. In the next issue, we’ll look at Dodge, Ford, and GM diesel trucks and explain why you have seen more fuel contamination claims in those particular vehicles, and what the manufacturers are doing about it. Water will always be present in fuel. When fuel in the fuel tank is used, air is brought into the fuel tank. If a gallon of fuel leaves, a gallon of air has to replace it, or the fuel tank would collapse. Air contains moisture, or humidity. Just as dew forms on the grass after a cool evening, as the air inside the tank cools, moisture from the air will condense into water droplets that will end up at the bottom of the fuel tank. This can happen in the tanker truck that delivers the fuel, in the underground storage tank from which the fuel is sold, or in the vehicle’s fuel tank. Pilots know all about this. Aircraft are usually filled up with fuel when they land so no air will be left in the tanks to cool overnight. Before each flight, fuel from the bottom of the tanks is drained and inspected so any condensed or contaminating water will be washed out.

For more of the 2 part Article Visit
Sealcorp.com - Newsroom - SEAL Consultant No. 3

Call or email Brian Haygood, P.E. at 1-800-624-0905 for questions and further information.

All-Terrain Vehicles: PAST AND PRESENT

In the late 1960s, Mr. Takeuchi of Honda Motor Company developed a three-wheel gasoline powered vehicle equipped with low-pressure tires.  Primarily intended for utility and snow operation purposes, this vehicle was released for production in 1970.  It was called the US 90 All-Terrain Cycle (ATC), a name that reflected both the general usage and engine size.  This vehicle effectively launched what was to be the beginning of the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) era in the U.S.A.Soon after ATVs hit the market, vehicle upsets, accidents, and injuries began to occur.  The three-wheel design geometry had resulted in a vehicle that would pitch/roll upset easily at very low speeds.  In the early 1980s, the ATV industry evolved substantially with the introduction of four-wheel all-terrain vehicles.  This new vehicle design marked the beginning of the end for the three wheel all-terrain vehicles.

For Complete Article download our Newsletter at
http://www.sealcorp.com/tinybrowser/files/seal_nl_june_2012.pdf

Call or email Mike Burleson, P.E. at 1-800-624-0905 for questions and further information.