/ SISK & CO.
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FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY PROCEDURE

INTRODUCTION

This procedure is designed to keep employees safe by educating them and training them about fire prevention and control. The procedure applies to all employees and contract personnel working at Company locations and sites.

PROCEDURE

FIRE HAZARD AWARENESS

Sources of fire at typical oil and gas well servicing operations include:

  • Smoking or open flames on location
  • Weeds, trash, and debris located near ignition sources
  • Flow back from wells
  • Crude oil and natural gas produced and stored at wells and tank batteries
  • Hot work
  • Electrical ignition sources
  • Static Electricity
  • Flammable chemicals

HOUSEKEEPING AND SAFE WORK PRACTICES

Company facilities and worksites shall be maintained in such a manner to prevent the likelihood of fires. Examples of good housekeeping are:

  • Clear tall grass and weeds around buildings, compressors, or other company facilities.
  • Do not let cardboard, paper, or other combustible materials accumulate on site.
  • Do not accumulate oily or solvent soaked rags; these should be stored in a metal safety can that is properly disposed of in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Follow the procedures in the Electrical Safety Chapter.
  • Always use a Hot Work Permit in hazardous locations (refer to Hot Work chapter).
  • No Smoking is permitted on Company Facilities, except in designated areas.
  • All flammable chemicals must be stored in approved containers or in flammable safety cabinets.
  • All bulk flammable chemicals must dispensed using proper bonding and grounding techniques.

FIRE PREVENTION IN DRILLING, PRODUCTION, AND SERVICING

Company employees and contractors shall observe the following fire prevention rules:

  • Company field personnel will visit all facilities regularly. Unsafe or potentially unsafe conditions will be corrected and/or reported immediately to the area foreman or EHS Manager.
  • If the location has a lot of tall grass, weeds, and other flammable material, clear the site before starting work.
  • No smoking is allowed within the rig guy lines or within 100 feet of the well.
  • Keep vehicles not involved in drilling, production, or well servicing at least 100 feet or the height of the derrick – whichever is greater - from the well bore.
  • A safety valve with connections suitable for use with each size and type of tool joint or coupling being used will be present on the rig floor.
  • Be sure grounding straps are located in a manner to prevent static electricity buildup.
  • Before starting operations, the operator shall check the well’s pressure and take appropriate steps to remove pressure or operate safely under pressure before beginning work.

FIRE REPORTING AND RESPONSE

If a fire is too big to safely extinguish with a hand held fire extinguisher, evacuate the area and call 911.

In case of large fire, call 911 immediately and notify management:

1 / Speak clearly and slowly. ACTION
2 / Describe the extent of the fire. Give the location and directions from the nearest county roads.
3 / Wait for questions.
4 / Evacuate the immediate area, if necessary.

If safe to do, use a portable fire extinguisher and shovel to extinguish the fire, using the following guidelines:

Stand 6 to 10 feet from the flame. DO / Turn your back on or move into the burned DON’T area even though the flames appear to be extinguished as the flames can easily re-ignite.
Hold the extinguisher upright. Wear flame-resistant clothing. / Use water on electrical fires. Be a hero -- equipment and machines can be replaced, people can’t.
Stay low to avoid the smoke. / Use the fire extinguisher at distances less than 6 feet or more than 10 feet from the flames.
Apply to the base of the flames, sweeping from side to side the entire / Use more than one extinguisher.
Move forward as the flames diminish width of the flame. to reach the far edge of the flames. Shovel dirt or sand on the extinguished area. Report all fires to your supervisor. / Continue to fight the fire even if you experience symptoms of exposure. Put a used fire extinguisher back without recharging and inspection.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Vehicles must be equipped with a portable ABC type fire extinguisher and a shovel for use in fighting small fire. Fire extinguishers shall:

  • Meet the requirements of OSHA 1910.157.
  • Be checked at least monthly, and the tag updated.
  • Be hydrostatically tested and certified at the appropriate interval shown in OSHA 1910.157 Table, depending on the type and construction.
  • Be hydrostatically tested and certified whenever they show new evidence of corrosion or mechanical injury.
  • Extinguisher shells, cylinders, or cartridges that fail a hydrostatic pressure test or that are not fit for testing shall be removed from service and from the workplace.
  • Be promptly serviced if used, even if for just a short time.
  • Be promptly serviced if the pressure is outside the acceptable range.

BLOWOUT PREVENTION EQUIPMENT (BOPs)
Blowout prevention equipment (BOPs) are to be used as required by State Oil and Gas
Commission Regulations and in accordance with American Petroleum Institute (API) RP 53;
Recommended Practices for Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems, as amended. (Talk to your supervisor if you are not sure what is needed.)

  • Appropriate (BOPs) will be utilized during well servicing activities.
  • BOP equipment will be inspected daily and a preventer operating test shall be performed on each round trip (not to exceed more than once per 24-hour period).
  • Notes of the tests shall be made on the daily report.
  • All fittings, valves, and unions connected to the BOP, well casing, casinghead, drill pipe, or tubing will have a working pressure rating suitable for the maximum anticipated surface pressure and will be maintained in good working order.
  • The BOP will contain pipe rams to enable closure of the pipe being used and the choke lines and kill lines will be anchored or secured.
  • All rig employees shall have an adequate understanding to operate the BOP system.
  • Place a sign or marker at the intersection of the nearest county roads and at the entrance to the lease road that will include emergency contact telephone numbers.
  • The county road numbers used to access the rig and appropriate emergency response numbers will be posted on the rig.
  • Ensure that electric livestock fences located within 150 feet of wellheads are turned off during drilling, completion, and workovers.

Safety manualPage 1 of 6

September 2006

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written permission of the MSEA and Sisk and Company.