NCCCO Drill Rig cheat sheet

Verify underground utilities and voids before setting outriggers: call 811-type locate services, and treat any unmarked area as containing a buried hazard until proven otherwise.

Soil bearing capacity governs pad size: required pad area = outrigger load divided by allowable soil bearing pressure. Soft fill, backfilled trenches, and recent excavation spoil are not competent bearing.

Minimum clearance from excavations: keep outriggers and tracks back a distance at least equal to the excavation depth unless a competent person approves shoring or a engineered setback.

Overhead line approach distances are voltage-based; assume lines are energized and uninsulated. Plan the drill position so no part of the rig, mast, or load can enter the minimum approach distance at any point in the drilling cycle.

Access and egress routes must support the heaviest transport load; check bridge postings, culvert ratings, gate widths, and turning radii before mobilizing.

Site plan should identify: drill locations, outrigger footprints, spoil and slurry containment, fuel storage, crane/rig travel paths, exclusion zones, and emergency assembly point.

Slope limits for setup come from the manufacturer's operating manual; typical rigs require the rig to be level within a small tolerance (often 1 degree or less) before raising the mast.

Environmental controls: contain drill cuttings and drilling fluid, protect storm drains, and identify the spill kit location before drilling begins.

Permits and notifications commonly required: drilling permit, right-of-way or utility crossing permits, noise/vibration limits, and groundwater or dewatering approvals.

Pre-shift inspection covers: fluid levels, hydraulic hoses and fittings for chafing or leaks, wire rope for broken wires, kinks, or corrosion, sheaves and blocks, brakes and clutches, safety devices, and fire extinguisher charge.

Wire rope removal criteria follow the rope manufacturer and OSHA guidance: remove for broken wire counts exceeding the table for the rope construction, diameter reduction, severe corrosion, heat damage, or kinking.

Outrigger setup sequence: extend and pin floats, set pads on competent material, level the rig, then verify level with the bubble or digital indicator before raising the mast.

Mast raising is a critical lift: confirm the mast lock, pins, and safety devices are engaged, keep personnel clear of the fall zone, and follow the manufacturer's sequence exactly.

Hydraulic system safety: relieve pressure before opening any fitting, never search for leaks with hands (use cardboard), and torque fittings to specification.

Guardrails, emergency stops, anti-two-block devices, and horn/backup alarms must be functional; a defective safety device removes the rig from service until repaired.

Lockout/tagout applies to maintenance and to clearing jams in the rotary, auger, or kelly; the rig must be shut down, controls locked, and the tool landed or blocked.

Daily and periodic inspection records must be retained; documented inspections are the primary defense after an incident.

Drilling rate is controlled by weight on bit, rotational speed, flush/air volume, and bit condition; excessive crowd force causes deviation, bit balling, and rod bending.

Kelly and rotary table alignment: misalignment causes vibration, hole deviation, and premature wear on the kelly drive and bushings.

Hole cleaning: cuttings must be removed at a rate matching penetration; if returns slow or torque rises, reduce penetration rate or increase flush before continuing.

Casing and temporary casing are set to control caving ground and groundwater; casing advancement must keep pace with drilling in unstable formations.

Kickback and rotation hazards: never wrap a hand or tag line around rotating pipe; use tongs and keep hands clear of the rotating table opening.

Bit and tool changes require the tool landed, the rotary stopped, and the hole stabilized; hoist loads during tripping must be within the rig's rated capacity at the working radius.

Production planning: sequence holes to minimize moves, pre-position casing and rods, and schedule concrete or grout delivery to match drilling completion.

Record keeping per hole: depth, strata log, penetration rate, fluid loss, and any anomalies; these records drive both quality and safety decisions.

Emergency drilling stop conditions: loss of returns, uncontrolled fluid flow, rig instability, or approaching an indicated utility - stop and reassess.

Rated capacity comes from the load chart for the specific configuration: boom or mast length, radius, counterweight, outrigger spread, and quadrant of operation.

Net capacity = gross chart capacity minus the weight of all lifting attachments (hook block, slings, shackles, and any below-the-hook device).

Radius is measured from the center of rotation to the center of gravity of the load, not to the hook.

Outrigger or track float loading: the reaction at each pad depends on load moment and geometry; chart capacities assume the manufacturer's specified pad support and level ground.

Sling tension: for a two-leg bridle, tension per leg = (load / 2) / cos(angle from vertical). Increasing the horizontal angle increases tension sharply.

Sling angle effect: a 60-degree angle from horizontal gives roughly 1.15 times the load per leg on a two-leg sling; 30 degrees nearly doubles it.

Shackle and hook ratings are based on the pin or bow diameter; never side-load a hook beyond the manufacturer's allowance and always use a hook with a functioning latch.

Rigging inspection: remove slings with broken wires, cuts, burns, ultraviolet degradation, or missing identification tags; tag as out of service.

Critical lift criteria typically include loads exceeding a set percentage of chart capacity (often 75%), lifts over personnel or occupied structures, and multi-crane lifts; a critical lift plan is required.

OSHA general industry and construction standards apply depending on the task: cranes and derricks in construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) govern lifting, while 29 CFR 1910 governs general industry equipment.

Operator qualification: crane operators covered by Subpart CC must be certified by an accredited certifying body and evaluated; rig-specific training and employer qualification are separate requirements.

Signal person and rigger qualification: a qualified signal person is required whenever the operator cannot see the load or the lift path; hand signals must match the standard set.

Power line safety: for lines up to 50 kV, the minimum approach distance is 10 feet; distances increase with voltage. Encroachment requires de-energizing, grounding, or an approved alternative with a dedicated spotter.

Fall protection: employees on rigs, masts, or elevated platforms must be protected at 4 feet in general industry and 6 feet in construction, or by guardrails or a personal fall arrest system.

Emergency procedures: establish a muster point, a means to shut down the rig from the ground, first aid and rescue capability, and a spill response plan; drill the response before work starts.

Fire prevention: fuel and hydraulic fluid storage away from ignition sources, charged extinguishers on the rig, and hot work permits for welding or cutting.

Incident reporting: report fatalities to OSHA within 8 hours and in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, or eye loss within 24 hours; preserve the scene and records.

Heat and noise: monitor heat index for outdoor crews, provide water and rest cycles, and enforce hearing protection where rig noise exceeds exposure limits.