Mousehole
A mousehole is a shallow vertical bore hole located beneath or adjacent to the rig floor and is typically lined with steel pipe or casing. It is used to temporarily store a single joint of drill pipe in a vertical position so it can be quickly and efficiently connected to the drill string during drilling operations.
The mousehole is usually drilled during early site preparation, either by a portable rig used for conductor hole operations or by the primary drilling rig after it has been rigged up on location. By staging drill pipe in the mousehole, the drilling crew can reduce handling time and improve operational efficiency on the rig floor.
Potential Hazard
- Falling or stepping into an uncovered or poorly marked mousehole, particularly during rig-up, rig-down, or periods of limited visibility.
- Struck-by or pinch-point hazards when placing or removing drill pipe from the mousehole.
Possible Solutions
- Keep the mousehole securely covered, barricaded, or clearly marked at all times until it is properly lined with casing or other protective material during rigging-up.
- Ensure the casing extends above the rig floor to provide a visible barrier and reduce trip hazards.
- Maintain adequate lighting around the rig floor and work areas to improve visibility.
- Train employees to recognize mousehole hazards and follow established safe work practices when working around floor openings.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-6. What is the best method for protecting employees from exposure to the mousehole prior to lining it with casing?
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