Lightning Safety on a Drilling Rig
Are we safe on a Drilling Rig during a Lightning Storm?

Storm season is upon us in Oklahoma, As well as across the Country and when I see Lightning in the distance and and feel the Thunder rattle the Rig, The instant question that jumps into my mind is"Am I protected from these Lightning strikes?" In Oklahoma our News Stations have all the latest equipment and technology to predict and understand these storms so I sent the following email to all 3 Major Stations and their Meterologists. Not surprisingly the only response came from Gary England with KWTV 9 in Oklahoma City. He has been Oklahomas most revered authority on storms for as far back as I can remember. What follows is the basic text of the email;
The answer above brings up as many questions as it addresses, But with this information several things I can do to provide myself with additional protection come to mind. My next pair of Redwing work boots will be equipped with soles used by those of Electricians. I will be finding a thick rubber mat like those we use on the Rig floor, for inside the Doghouse for myself and my hands to stand on during a Lightning storm. I will be bringing my Derrickhand down a little sooner during a Severe Thunderstorm, But most importantly, I will be contacting My our Safety Director as to guidelines to follow during a Lightning Storm. I encourage you to do the same.
For more information about working in Severe Weather I would contact KWTV 9, Their banner above is a direct link to their website. As for me "When Severe Weather Threatens, I will stay tuned to Gary England and KWTV 9, I know they will keep me advised"
Here is some helpful information that just came via email
recently read your safety meeting on lightning strikes and would like to provide you some information that I learned years ago and then later when I became an electrician and learning electrical theory I was reassured in what I had learned previously.
Thanks Ryan!
uploads/Lightning_Protection.pdf
Thanks for visiting RoughneckCity.com
Here is a recent Email to this Safety Meeting
In regards to being safe on a rig when lightning strikes,I can tell you that I have been on the Rig Floor and in the Top Doghouse when lightning has hit the Derrick. No was injured. The only thing that was damaged was the Pason Unit in the Crown and the DHC, It burnt both of them up. The lightning made a different sound when it hit the Derrick versus the sound it made when it hit the ground next to the Hopper House. 5 man crew, all on the Rig, no one was hurt. Thanks... Bubba