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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Oil & Gas Laborer

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

An Oil & Gas Laborer (often called Roustabout, Rig Laborer, or Floorhand) performs essential physical and support work on wellsites, drilling rigs, production facilities, and pipeline construction projects. This role focuses on safe, efficient manual labor: handling pipe, stabilizing equipment, preparing and maintaining the worksite, operating basic rig and yard tools, and assisting skilled trades and rig crews during drilling, completion, maintenance, and rig-up/rig-down operations. The Laborer enforces safety protocols (PPE, H2S, confined space monitoring), performs routine maintenance and housekeeping, and documents work in compliance with HSE and operational procedures.

Keywords: Oil & Gas Laborer, roustabout, rig hand, wellsite laborer, drilling support, rig operations, pipe handling, rig-up/rig-down, HSE compliance, jobsite safety.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • High school graduate or GED with local rig exposure
  • Construction laborer or site maintenance technician
  • Military veteran with mechanical or field operations experience

Advancement To:

  • Floorhand / Roughneck
  • Derrickhand / Derrickman
  • Driller or Assistant Driller
  • Toolpusher / Rig Supervisor
  • Field Operations Supervisor or Wellsite Superintendent

Lateral Moves:

  • Pipeline laborer / construction craftsman
  • Heavy equipment operator (after certification)
  • Maintenance technician or mechanical service tech
  • HSE technician or site safety representative

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Safely load, unload and stage drilling pipe, tubulars, casing, and other heavy equipment using hand signals, slings, blocks, and basic rigging techniques; ensure proper tag lines, securement and adherence to load capacities during all material movements.
  • Assist in rig-up and rig-down activities by disassembling and assembling substructures, catwalks, mud systems, pumps, tanks and flowlines; follow rigging plans and supervisor directions to meet schedule targets while maintaining safety standards.
  • Perform manual and powered handling of drill collars, drill pipe, bits, subs and bottom-hole assembly components, positioning and stabilizing tubulars to prevent dropping or uncontrolled movement on the rig floor and work areas.
  • Operate and maintain basic oilfield tools and equipment (pipe tongs, vices, rigging gear, winches, air compressors, hand tools) and perform pre- and post-shift inspections to identify defects and report issues to the toolpusher or supervisor.
  • Support rig crew during tripping, drilling, casing and completion operations by supplying required tools and consumables, stabbing and making up pipe stands under supervision, and clearing the rig floor for safe crew movements.
  • Maintain and inspect all required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow site-specific HSE procedures including H2S monitoring, confined space protocols, gas detection, and lockout/tagout during maintenance and repair tasks.
  • Conduct daily site housekeeping and spill prevention measures: remove debris, collect scrap pipe and metal, clean mud and fluid spills, and organize workspaces to ensure unobstructed egress and reduced trip hazards.
  • Assist with basic mechanical maintenance: change filters, lubricate rotating equipment, replace belts, tighten fittings and perform routine checks on engines, pumps and hydraulic systems under guidance.
  • Prepare and maintain drilling fluids support areas — move and stage mud tanks, assist with mixing and monitoring blending operations, and keep mud-related areas free of obstructions and hazards.
  • Load and unload supplies from trucks and service rigs, organize inventory, tag and store consumables (chemicals, drill bits, hoses) according to safety data sheet (SDS) and company storage protocols.
  • Establish and maintain barricades, signage, and site lighting during nighttime operations and emergency conditions to protect crew and visitors and ensure traffic and pedestrian safety on site.
  • Assist in wellsite sampling and simple measurements (flow, pressure, temperature) as directed; collect and label samples accurately and submit them with required paperwork to the supervisor or lab personnel.
  • Support emergency response and rescue drills: maintain readiness with basic first aid, fire suppression equipment, and evacuation routes; assist with muster point coordination and head counts when required.
  • Execute basic rigging and signaling for crane and forklift operations by following certified signaler guidance and ensuring clear communication between equipment operators and ground personnel.
  • Document daily activities, equipment usage, incidents, near-misses and maintenance requests using paper logs or digital maintenance management systems and report discrepancies to the rig foreman or HSE representative.
  • Assist specialist technicians during completions and well intervention tasks by holding tools, positioning hoses and guide lines, and ensuring clear communication to enable safe and efficient operations.
  • Participate in pre-job safety briefings (JSA/JHA), permit-to-work processes and toolbox talks; contribute observations and highlight hazards to improve site safety.
  • Perform routine checks and basic maintenance of site temporary infrastructure (accommodations, power gensets, sanitation units, hoses and connectors) to ensure crew welfare and uninterrupted operations.
  • Support environmental compliance activities by following spill containment procedures, segregating waste streams, assisting with containment booms, and ensuring proper disposal of oily rags, drilling fluids and chemical containers.
  • Conduct basic welding area housekeeping and assist welders by handling consumables, positioning clamps and preparing surfaces, while maintaining safe distances from hot work and complying with fire watch protocols.
  • Assist truck and trailer spotting, securement and connection for transporting equipment between wellsites; help with hitching, load distribution and pre-move checks under supervision.
  • Perform basic electrical isolation tasks and assist electricians with temporary power setups, conduit handling, and cable pulls while adhering to lockout/tagout and electrical safety policies.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain accurate parts and consumables inventory logs; reorder supplies and coordinate with procurement or the rig supply chain to prevent operational delays.
  • Assist HSE teams with routine monitoring tasks such as visual inspections, gas readings and PPE checks, and help prepare corrective action documentation.
  • Support local stakeholder and landowner interactions by representing the company professionally when escorting personnel to site or coordinating deliveries.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting efficiency or safety improvements based on frontline observations.
  • Aid in basic training and onboarding for new laborers by demonstrating safe manual handling, rigging basics and house-keeping standards.
  • Support remote site utilities: assist with diesel refueling, fuel transfer procedures and basic fuel storage tank checks under permit requirements.
  • Help coordinate transient workforce logistics: set up crew quarters, distribute PPE and ensure crew members have required certifications and inductions completed.
  • Assist in decontamination and washdown operations for equipment returning from the field to prevent cross-site contamination.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Familiarity with rig floor operations and drilling/completions support tasks, including tripping, making up/breaking out pipe, and assisting with casing runs.
  • Basic rigging and slinging skills: safe use of slings, shackles, chainfalls, wire rope, and knowledge of load limits and tag-line practices.
  • Competence with common oilfield hand and power tools: pipe tongs, impact wrenches, grinders, torque wrenches, and air-powered tools.
  • Knowledge of H2S awareness and use of personal gas monitors; able to respond to H2S alarms per site protocols.
  • Understanding of confined space entry fundamentals, permits and attendant/entrant responsibilities.
  • Experience with basic mechanical maintenance tasks: lubrication, filter changes, hose replacement and simple troubleshooting of pumps and compressors.
  • Competence in basic measurements and sampling (pressure, temperature, simple fluid sampling) and correct sample handling procedures.
  • Basic forklift or crane signaling skills (certified signaller preferred) and familiarity with lifting plans.
  • Safe knowledge of hazardous materials handling, reading Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and correct waste segregation procedures.
  • Ability to follow written procedures, permit systems and safety management systems; basic documentation and logbook entry skills.
  • Forklift, telehandler, or heavy equipment operation (preferred or after certification) for loading/unloading material.
  • Basic understanding of wellsite fluid systems, mud handling and containment practices.

Soft Skills

  • Strong safety-first mindset with the willingness to intervene for unsafe acts and commit to a positive HSE culture.
  • Dependable and punctual with the ability to work long shifts, nights and on-call rotations in remote, harsh environments.
  • Good physical stamina, able to lift heavy loads, stand for extended periods, and work in weather extremes.
  • Clear verbal communication and active listening skills for coordinating with crew members and following supervisor instructions.
  • Team-oriented attitude and the ability to support a rotating crew with varied skill levels.
  • Problem-solving and situational awareness to identify hazards and suggest practical fixes.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new tools, procedures and certifications required by the client or project.
  • Attention to detail for accurate documentation, equipment checks and following permit requirements.
  • Respect for cultural diversity and the ability to work collaboratively with local contractors and third-party vendors.
  • Time management skills to prioritize tasks under tight operational schedules.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; basic literacy and numeracy sufficient for equipment measurements and documentation.

Preferred Education:

  • Trade school certificate or vocational training in oilfield operations, mechanical trades, or heavy equipment operation.
  • Certifications such as OSHA 10 or 30, H2S Alive, First Aid/CPR, Confined Space, WHMIS/GHS, and accredited rig or safety induction cards.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Petroleum Technology / Oil & Gas Operations
  • Mechanical Trades, Welding or Fabrication
  • Industrial Maintenance / Heavy Equipment Operation
  • Safety, Environmental or Occupational Health programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry level: 0–2 years for laborer/roustabout roles.
  • Experienced: 2–5+ years for roles requiring independent pipe handling, rigging and maintenance tasks.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of prior oilfield, rig, or pipeline construction experience is preferred for many employers.
  • Prior experience on drilling rigs, production sites, service rigs or in well intervention support.
  • Demonstrated history of safe operational performance, valid safety certifications and good employment references.
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