12/21/2018 Crown Block Warning Devices - IADC - International Association of Drilling Contractors

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DRILLING CONTRACTORS ABOUT JOIN NEWS LOG IN / SIGN UP

HEALTH, SAFETY &

ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
Crown Block Warning Devices
IADC SAFETY ALERTS
Running into the crown block with the traveling block is not an everyday
SAFETY TOOLBOX occurrence.  But when it happens the results may be catastrophic, both in damage
to equipment and injury to employees.
IADC INCIDENTS STATISTICS
PROGRAM (ISP)
This type of mishap usually is the result of poor judgment by personnel.  The driller
may be distracted and any mental lapse during high-speed hoisting operations can
ISP RIG RECOGNITION be disastrous.
PLAQUES
As long as the human element is involved in the operation of the drawworks, these
IADC SAFETY POSTERS
mishaps will occur.  However, the human element is not always responsible.  Not
often, but occasionally, a clutch will stick or a throttle will jam.  In anticipation of
IADC HSE CASE GUIDELINES these conditions, many contractors install an emergency ignition switch on gas
engines, emergency fuel cut-off on diesel engines, and an emergency “stop” button
HEALTH, SAFETY & on electric rigs.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
One device which has been in use for a number of years and which, no doubt, has
prevented some problems, is the traveling block bumper.  It should be attached
under the crown beams.  Some companies use wood seals.  When these are used,
Search ... they should be wrapped in expanded metal with a safety cable through the seals. 
Other companies have gone to rubber bumpers.

There are various devices to limit the power or shut down the drawworks should
the blocks get too close to the crown.  Some switches are similar to the crane limit
switch.  In operation, as the traveling blocks near the limit of travel, the blocks pick
up an arm or a cable, which begins to rotate a switch.  The arm and cable are
adjusted within the limits desired and as the switch begins to open, one of the
normally open contacts closes and sets off an alarm which may be a light, buzzer or
horn.  As the switch continues to rotate, a second set of normally closed contacts is
opened thereby shutting off the power.  At the same time that these contacts are
opened, a third set of contacts closes, energizing a circuit which applies the brake,
which stops the upward movement of the traveling block.

Another crown safety device mounts on the drawworks shaft and counts the
revolutions of the shaft.  It is set at a predetermined lower point, then the blocks

http://www.iadc.org/safety-meeting-topics/crown-block-warning-devices/ 1/4
12/21/2018 Crown Block Warning Devices - IADC - International Association of Drilling Contractors

are hoisted to the high point of travel and the device is set for the high stopping
point.

Other devices mount in the drawworks and have a toggle switch that shuts off the
air to the drawworks clutch and applies air to the brakes.

A word of caution is needed. Regardless of how simple or how reliable a device of

this kind may be it will require regular and periodic inspection and maintenance. 
The drilling crews must be speci cally trained in this because there is hardly
anything more hazardous than a safety device which does not work all the time.

1. Crown saver devices should be checked by the driller to ensure they are
operating correctly shortly after he comes on tour or at the rst opportunity.
2. The device is often moved when the collars and bottom hole assembly are
brought through the rotary table. Anytime the crown safety device is moved
or deactivated to allow the traveling block to be raised above the preset
stopping point, a red ag should be attached to the drawworks clutch lever as
a warning to the operator.  Extra special precautions should be taken by the
driller while operating with the protection device deactivated.
3. Each time the crown protection device is tested, reset or readjusted, this
information should be entered on the daily drilling report.
4. The safety device must have an air supply to operate. If the main air supply
valve to the device is closed, the crown protection device is inoperative and
will not work, should it be needed.
5. Some people remove the toggle stem from the toggle valve assembly rather
than sliding the toggle valve assembly to one side so the blocks can be raised
above the present level.
6. If this is done the toggle stem should be placed on the drillers console and the
driller should operate using caution until the safety device is again put in
proper operating condition.

20th February, 2015 | Rig Activities, Safety Meeting Topics

http://www.iadc.org/safety-meeting-topics/crown-block-warning-devices/ 2/4
 12/21/2018 Crown Block Warning Devices - IADC - International Association of Drilling Contractors

RESOURCE CENTER IADC COMMITTEES IADC CHAPTERS

TECHNICAL RESOURCES ACCOUNTING ISSUES/ ARK-LA-TEX CHAPTER

PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
Global Leadership For
The Drilling Industry IADC BOOKSTORE AUSTRALASIA CHAPTER
ADVANCED RIG
TECHNOLOGY (ART)
IADC E-BOOKSTORE COMMITTEE BRAZIL CHAPTER

BROWSE IADC
IADC LEXICON – DRILLING CONTRACTS COMMITTEE CASPIAN CHAPTER
GLOSSARY
HOME
CYBERSECURITY HOUSTON CHAPTER
DRILLBITS COMMITTEE
ABOUT
MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER
DRILLINGMATTERS.ORG DRILLING ENGINEERS
ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE NIGERIA CHAPTER
DRILLING CONTRACTOR
ADVOCACY MAGAZINE ETHICS & COMPLIANCE NORTHERN ARABIAN GULF
COMMITTEE CHAPTER
CHAPTERS KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND
ABILITY (KSA) HSE COMMITTEE
COMPETENCIES TOOL NORTH SEA CHAPTER
COMMITTEES
JACK-UP COMMITTEE OKLAHOMA-TEXAS
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
DIVISIONS PANHANDLE CHAPTER
MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
DRILLING CONTRACTOR
EVENTS MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS PERMIAN BASIN CHAPTER
RIG MOVING COMMITTEE
HSE NEWS RELEASES ROCKY MOUNTAIN
SUPPLY CHAIN COMMITTEE CHAPTER

MEMBERSHIP ADVERTISE ON IADC.ORG

TAX COMMITTEE SOUTH CENTRAL ASIA
CHAPTER
TECHNICAL RESOURCES
TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS
COMMITTEE SOUTH LOUISIANA CHAPTER
CONTACT US ACCREDITATION
PROGRAMS SOUTHEAST ASIA CHAPTER
UBO/ MPD COMMITTEE
CONTACT THE WEBMASTER

COMPETENCE ASSURANCE WELL CONTROL COMMITTEE SOUTHERN ARABIAN

ACCREDITATION PROGRAM PENINSULA CHAPTER

WORKFORCE
CRANE-RIGGER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

DRILLING INDUSTRY
TRAINING ACCREDITATION
SYSTEM

GATEWAY®

http://www.iadc.org/safety-meeting-topics/crown-block-warning-devices/ 3/4
 12/21/2018 Crown Block Warning Devices - IADC - International Association of Drilling Contractors

RIGPASS®

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND

ABILITY (KSA)
COMPETENCIES

KSAS

WELLCAP

WELLCAP/WELLSHARP PLUS

WELLSHARP

WELL CONTROL INSTITUTE

(WCI)

ACCREDITATION RESOURCES

Copyright © 1995 - 2018 IADC | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Logo Usage Guidelines

http://www.iadc.org/safety-meeting-topics/crown-block-warning-devices/ 4/4