ABSTRACT
When deciding on the type of drilling waste handling technologies to use for work in cold Arctic environments, the operators need to conduct comprehensive occupational hazard assessments of the drilling waste streams. This is especially due to the negative impact of cold on human health and performance, as well as on work productivity, quality and safety (ISO 15743, 2008). The rigorous hazards assessment can be done by considering the HSE (health, safety, and environment) aspects, and by striking an appropriate balance between their potentially conflicting requirements (IPIECA and OGP, 2009). Moreover, an effective occupational hazards management plan need to comprise the assessment of potential job hazards, risks of
1 INTRODUCTION
The oil and gas exploration results in the creation of drilling wastes that consist of a mix of drillwaste solids (cuttings) and non-recoverable drilling muds. These wastes can be contaminated with various chemicals which are added throughout the drilling process and in some cases with the hydrocarbons from the formation. In general, in the conventional waste handling practices, once the drill cuttings have passed through the solids control system, the cuttings collection and handling system takes the waste stream of cuttings with adhering drilling fluid and delivers it to the next stage of the disposal process (IPIECA and OGP, 2009). If discharge into the sea is the selected disposal option, handling requirements will be minimal and the occupational exposures to the waste will also be insignificant (IPIECA and OGP, 2009). However, for non-discharge options, some type of cuttings collection, processing, transport and disposal system will be required (Ayele et al., 2013, Paulsen et al., 2005, Veil, 2002). During those activities the workers involved faces occupational health and safety hazards (Holmér, 1999, Broni-Bediako and Amorin, 2010, Mearns et al., 2003, Robson et al., 2007, IPIECA and OGP, 2009). Moreover, the range of possible drilling waste handling technologies/solutions poses their own peculiar occupational hazards in terms of exposure routes (such as ingestion, inhalation, skin contact and skin absorption), frequency of exposure, and exposure duration.
