Many drilling contractors fall into the “essential” category and still field crews amid Covid-19 lockdowns in many areas of the United States and in other countries. What’s changed and what hasn’t with safety protocols?

For this episode of Drilling In-Site, we talk safety, best practices and risk mitigation for crews working amid the pandemic — as well as customers they serve and the families they go home to.

“The world is a HAZMAT site now,” says today’s guest, Glenn Minyard of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 AFL-CIO, Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program. Minyard says crews need to mobilize now with masks, gloves, regular handwashing and other practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Today’s panelists are:

• Jeremy Verdusco, editor, National Driller.
• Brock Yordy, drilling industry expert, global drill trainer and industry writer.
• Glenn Minyard, safety coordinator with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 AFL-CIO, Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program.

We hope you enjoy the discussion and welcome your input on Covid-19 best practices you’ve found useful in your business, or on other topics we might cover in the future. Comment below or send an email to verduscoj@bnpmedia.com.

Resources

Disinfecting a work vehicle: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/disinfecting-transport-vehicles.html

Safety practices for critical workers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safety-practices.html

Return to work guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html. Minyard mentions this site; it’s designed for healthcare workers, but could cover any type of “essential” worker returning to work after a suspected or confirmed case.