PSC ROUGHNEK Push-Pull Pole™

Oilfield Push Pull Tool Built for Rig Floor Pipe Handling

Why Oilfield PSC ROUGHNEK™ Push- Pull Tools Are Critical for Rig Floor Pipe Handling

Rig floor operations are among the most hazardous work environments in the oil & gas industry. Suspended drill pipe, casing, and tubulars are constantly moving, swinging, and rotating during tripping, connection make-up, and alignment. In these high-risk red zones, even a small positioning error can lead to serious hand, finger, and caught-between injuries.

This is where the PSC ROUGHNEK™ Push-Pull Tool becomes essential.

The Reality of Rig Floor Hazards

Common Injury Mechanisms on Rig Floors:

• Pinch points between tubulars and rotary table

• Crush injuries between casing and rig deck

• Finger amputations during manual alignment

• Glove entanglement on sharp threads

• Caught-between incidents during pipe movement

Most of these injuries occur when workers:

• Manually guide suspended pipe

• Attempt to stabilize swinging tubulars

• Align connections by hand

• Reach into red zones during hoisting operations

The rule across modern drilling safety standards is simple:

Hands must stay off suspended loads.

However, without proper tools, crews often rely on instinct and experience—placing hands dangerously close to moving iron.

What Is the PSC ROUGHNEK™ Push- Pull Tool?

The PSC ROUGHNEK™ Push-Pull Tool is a heavy-duty oilfield push-pull device engineered specifically for rig floor pipe handling. It allows drill crews to:

• Push

• Pull

• Guide

• Align

• Stabilize

drill pipe and casing from a safe working distance.

It acts as a controlled extension of the operator’s reach, removing hands and fingers from high-risk zones while maintaining full control over pipe positioning.

Why PSC ROUGHNEK™ Is Important for Injury Mitigation

1. Eliminates Direct Hand Contact with Suspended Pipe

The primary function of PSC ROUGHNEK™ is to create distance between the worker and the hazard.

Instead of:

• Grabbing pipe manually

• Using improvised bars

• Reaching near pinch points

Crews use the push-pull tool to guide pipe safely from outside the red zone.

This dramatically reduces:

• Finger crush injuries

• Hand fractures

• Lacerations

2. Prevents Caught-Between Incidents

Caught-between injuries occur when:

• Pipe shifts unexpectedly

• Loads swing under hoisting

• Tubulars rotate during connection

The PSC ROUGHNEK™ tool allows operators to:

• Control pipe movement without body exposure

• Maintain balance and stability

• Avoid positioning themselves between moving loads

By increasing operator distance, it removes the body from “line-of-fire” zones.

3. Enhances Control During Pipe Alignment

During:

• Stabbing operations

• Thread engagement

• Connection make-up

Precise alignment is required.

Manual guiding exposes fingers directly to:

• Threaded connections

• Rotating components

• Compression points

PSC ROUGHNEK™ provides:

• Leverage

• Stability

• Controlled directional force

This improves precision without exposing hands.

4. Supports Red Zone Safety Compliance

Modern drilling operations implement:

• Red zone management systems

• Hands-free policies

• STOP-work authority

PSC ROUGHNEK™ supports compliance by:

• Enabling hands-free pipe positioning

• Reducing reliance on physical contact

• Aligning with industry safety best practices

It becomes a proactive safety control, not just a tool.

5. Reduces Lost Time Incidents

Hand and finger injuries are among the most common:

• OSHA recordables

• Medical treatment cases

• Lost-time incidents

These injuries lead to:

• Downtime

• Crew shortages

• Increased insurance costs

• Regulatory scrutiny

Using PSC ROUGHNEK™:

• Reduces exposure frequency

• Lowers injury probability

• Improves operational continuity

4.Engineering Importance in Harsh Environments

Rig floor conditions include:

• Mud contamination

• Slippery steel surfaces

• Limited visibility

• Heavy vibrations

• Dynamic loads

PSC ROUGHNEK™ is designed to:

• Withstand industrial abuse

• Provide high structural strength

• Maintain grip and control

• Operate reliably in extreme conditions

Its durability ensures consistent safety performance shift after shift.

5. Safety Culture & Behavioral Impact

Tools influence behavior.

Without a push-pull tool:

• Workers rely on habit

• Hands enter unsafe zones

• Risk becomes normalized

With PSC ROUGHNEK™:

• Hands-free becomes standard practice

• Safer positioning becomes routine

• Crew confidence improves

It reinforces a culture where:

Safety is engineered into the workflow, not left to chance.

6.Operational Scenarios Where PSC ROUGHNEK™ Is Critical

• Guiding drill pipe into rotary table

• Stabilizing casing during stabbing

• Positioning tubulars during tripping

• Adjusting pipe alignment on workover rigs

• Managing pipe on offshore platforms

• Operating in high wind or unstable load conditions

In each case, the tool reduces direct human exposure to moving loads.

7.Strategic Importance for Oil & Gas Operators

For drilling contractors and operators, PSC ROUGHNEK™ delivers:

✔ Risk Reduction

✔ Injury Prevention

✔ Compliance with Safety Standards

✔ Improved Productivity

✔ Reduced Downtime

✔ Stronger Safety Metrics

In high-risk drilling environments, even one prevented hand injury justifies the implementation of engineered hands-free tools.

Understanding the Upstream Oil & Gas – Drilling Sector

The upstream oil & gas industry represents the exploration and production (E&P) phase of the petroleum value chain. This segment is responsible for locating hydrocarbon reserves, drilling wells, extracting crude oil and natural gas, and preparing them for transportation to midstream facilities.

Drilling operations are among the most hazardous industrial activities globally. High-pressure systems, suspended loads, rotating equipment, and confined red-zone work areas create constant risk exposure — particularly to hands and fingers during pipe and casing handling.

Within this environment, engineered safety solutions such as PSC ROUGHNEK play a critical role in mitigating red-zone hazards and eliminating direct hand contact with suspended tubulars.

Allowed Operations in Upstream Drilling

PSC ROUGHNEK is specifically relevant across multiple drilling environments where pipe movement, alignment, and stabilization are routine and high-risk activities.

Onshore Drilling Rigs:

Operational Overview

Onshore drilling rigs are land-based installations used for exploratory and production wells. These rigs vary from small truck-mounted units to large, high-capacity rotary rigs capable of deep drilling.

Key Activities:

• Drill pipe running and pulling

• Casing installation

• Tubular alignment

• Rig floor pipe positioning

• Tripping operations

Risk Profile:

• Suspended drill pipe movement

• Pinch points between casing and deck

• Swinging tubulars during hoisting

• Manual guiding of heavy pipe

On onshore rigs, manual pipe handling has historically resulted in crush injuries, fractures, and lacerations. The red zone (area beneath suspended loads and moving iron) remains a primary hazard area.

Relevance of PSC ROUGHNEK:

The PSC ROUGHNEK is engineered to allow safe pipe positioning without placing hands near suspended loads. It enables:

• Controlled push-pull movement of tubulars

• Safe pipe alignment from a distance

• Reduced hand injury exposure

• Compliance with “Hands Off Suspended Loads” policies

Onshore drilling operations benefit from tools that increase control while maintaining crew safety, particularly in high-frequency tripping operations.

• Offshore Rigs

Operational Overview

Offshore drilling rigs operate in marine environments and include:

• Fixed platforms

• Semi-submersibles

• Drillships

These environments introduce additional challenges such as vessel motion, space constraints, and corrosive saltwater exposure.

Risk Factors:

• Dynamic pipe swing due to wave motion

• Limited rig floor space

• Weather-related instability

• Corrosion impact on equipment

Pipe handling offshore requires enhanced control due to environmental movement. A minor misalignment can escalate quickly under dynamic load conditions.

Role of PSC ROUGHNEK Offshore:

PSC ROUGHNEK contributes to:

• Stabilizing tubulars in moving environments

• Maintaining operator distance from pinch zones

• Reducing slip and grip failure risks

• Enhancing control in confined rig floor spaces

Its heavy-duty industrial construction is suitable for corrosive offshore conditions where durability is critical.

. Jack-Up Rigs

Operational Overview

Jack-up rigs are mobile offshore units that elevate above sea level using extendable legs. They are widely used in shallow water drilling operations.

Operational Characteristics:

• Elevated working deck

• Compact rig floor layout

• Frequent casing and drill pipe handling

• High reliance on crane and hoisting systems

Due to spatial limitations, manual pipe guidance risks increase significantly.

Safety Challenges:

• Restricted escape routes

• High red-zone exposure

• Limited maneuvering space

PSC ROUGHNEK in Jack-Up Operations:

PSC ROUGHNEK allows:

• Controlled tubular movement in confined decks

• Safer casing alignment

• Reduced manual contact with suspended pipe

• Improved ergonomic control during positioning

By removing hands from direct pipe contact, the tool supports safer drilling cycles in compact offshore units.

• Workover Rigs

  Operational Overview

Workover rigs are used for well intervention, maintenance, repair, and re-completion. Unlike drilling rigs, they focus on servicing existing wells.

Common Activities:

• Pulling production tubing

• Replacing damaged casing

• Well stimulation preparation

• Downhole tool retrieval

These operations often involve repetitive pipe handling in tight spaces.

Risk Exposure:

• Manual tubing manipulation

• Frequent lifting and lowering cycles

• Close-proximity handling

In workover operations, speed often increases injury risk. Crew fatigue can contribute to unsafe manual positioning.

PSC ROUGHNEK Application:

PSC ROUGHNEK enhances:

• Hands-free pipe control

• Safe tubing alignment

• Reduced crush injury exposure

• Operational efficiency during repetitive cycles

Its use supports injury prevention programs in high-frequency intervention environments.

Rig Floor Pipe & Casing Handling

Critical Area: The Red Zone

The rig floor is the most hazardous zone in drilling operations. It involves:

• Rotary table movement

• Suspended drill string

• Iron roughnecks

• Elevators and slips

• Casing stabbing operations

Most hand injuries in upstream drilling occur during:

• Pipe stabbing

• Tubular alignment

• Casing positioning

• Manual push-pull adjustments

The industry standard safety rule is clear:
Hands should never be placed on suspended loads.

Why PSC ROUGHNEK Is Critical in These Operations

PSC ROUGHNEK is specifically engineered for rig floor pipe handling in upstream oil & gas drilling. Its purpose aligns directly with the operational hazards present in:

• Onshore rigs

• Offshore rigs

• Jack-up rigs

• Workover rigs

• High-risk red-zone pipe handling

Industrial Safety Impact:

• Minimizes pinch-point injuries

• Reduces crush and caught-between incidents

• Supports compliance with global safety standards

• Enhances crew confidence during pipe movement

Operational Benefits:

• Improved pipe control

• Faster alignment and positioning

• Reduced downtime from injuries

• Increased efficiency in tripping and casing operations

Industry Safety Regulations & Standards

Upstream drilling operations are governed by strict safety frameworks, including:

• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

• IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors)

• API (American Petroleum Institute) standards

• Company-specific red-zone management systems

Modern drilling companies implement:

• Hands-off policies

• Engineered safety controls

• Red-zone monitoring

• Mechanical handling aids

PSC ROUGHNEK fits within this engineered control hierarchy by eliminating direct human exposure to hazardous moving iron.

Engineering Requirements in Upstream Drilling Tools

Tools used in upstream drilling must withstand:

• High-impact loads

• Extreme temperature variations

• Abrasive environments

• Corrosion exposure

• Continuous mechanical stress

PSC ROUGHNEK is designed to meet these operational demands while maintaining structural integrity and ergonomic usability.

Conclusion

The PSC ROUGHNEK™ Push-Pull Tool is not just a rig floor accessory—it is a critical safety control in upstream oil & gas drilling operations.

By removing hands from suspended loads and eliminating exposure to pinch and crush zones, it significantly mitigates:

• Hand injuries

• Finger amputations

• Caught-between incidents

• Red zone exposure risks

In a workplace where moving iron never waits, engineered distance equals safety.

PSC ROUGHNEK™ transforms pipe handling from a high-risk manual activity into a controlled, hands-free operation—protecting crews while maintaining operational efficiency.

Engineered for industrial safety. Built for real work environments.

📞 Call us now: (+91) 9603166448
📧 Email: sales@pschandsafety.com
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