
According to a recent data from the IADC ,manual pipe tongs are directly responsible for over 10% of all lost time accidents.
The most common of these injuries are mashed hands and fingers followed by being struck by the pipe tongs, small particles of tong die shrapnel embedded in the face or eyes because eye protection was not worn and rarely,but still present, deaths or serious injuries resulting from tong or tong head failure.
All floorhands need to be responsible for inspecting tongs each day. (Usually if time is permitting it's a good idea to check them out as soon as you get there.)
To begin inspection start by putting on eye protection and gloves
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Now that the dies are changed and in safe working order give the tongs themselves a thorough examination.
(This won't take but a moment.)
With a helper steadying the tongs if necessary, raise them to a comfortable position to kneel and examine the underside.
Every week it's a good idea to steam off the tong heads and tongs, and give them a thorough visual inspection for any small visible cracks. Although not a substitute for a proper X-Ray inspection, anything you find may just save your life or the life of a co-worker.
Where Not To be.....