Risk Assessment & Management Flashcards

What is the MOST effective engineering control to reduce drilling crew exposure to crystalline silica dust?

Answer: Using wet drilling methods or local exhaust ventilation at the dust source

Wet suppression and local exhaust ventilation eliminate or capture silica dust at the source, providing the highest level of protection under the hierarchy of controls.

When drilling in karst terrain, which unique risk must be specifically addressed in the risk assessment?

Answer: Sudden borehole collapse into subsurface voids or sinkholes

Karst limestone contains dissolution cavities and voids that can cause sudden total loss of circulation, borehole collapse, or drill string drop without warning.

Which federal regulation requires drillers to notify the appropriate agency before drilling within a wellhead protection area?

Answer: Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

The SDWA's Source Water Protection program requires notification and often additional controls when drilling within a designated wellhead protection area.

What does a 'stop-work authority' policy mean in the context of drilling site safety?

Answer: Any worker can halt work when they observe an imminent hazard without fear of reprisal

Stop-work authority empowers every employee to halt operations immediately upon identifying a serious hazard, creating a culture where safety supersedes production pressure.

How does grouting a well annulus reduce environmental risk?

Answer: It seals the space between the casing and borehole wall, preventing surface contaminants from migrating downward

Annular grouting creates an impermeable seal that prevents surface runoff, bacteria, and other contaminants from channeling along the outside of the casing into the aquifer.

A crew member is struck by a rotating drill kelly during operations. This incident category is best described as:

Answer: Struck-by hazard from rotating/moving equipment

Being hit by a moving object such as a rotating kelly is classified as a struck-by incident, one of OSHA's 'Fatal Four' construction hazard categories.

What is the purpose of a pre-drill site walkthrough checklist in risk management?

Answer: To systematically identify and document existing site hazards before equipment mobilization

A pre-drill walkthrough checklist ensures hazards such as overhead utilities, buried lines, unstable terrain, and nearby sensitive receptors are identified before drilling begins.