seismic field operations, safety and training - Canadian Association ...

SIX PHASES OF SEISMIC OPERATIONSAll seismic operations involve six important phases. Each phase needs workers in different roles, with a variety of skills and training. This griddescribes each phase of seismic operations, explains what jobs fi t into each phase and lists the training required and available for each position.The seismic sector offers lots of opportunity for workers to move around – and up – with some industry training and experience.Phase 1: LandPermitting / ScoutingPermits must be in place withall stakeholders prior to the startof any seismic program.Phase 2:Line SurveyingLine surveying is conductedin two stages. The fi rst stageincludes scouting and mappingactivities. The second stageincludes the marking of all shotholes on source lines.Phase 3:Line ConstructionLine construction of sourceand receiver lines is typicallycompleted by MulcherOperators and/or Fallers.Seismic lines are constructedto allow access for seismicequipment and crews.Phase 4: Shot HoleDrilling and LoadingSeismic drills travel downconstructed lines and drill shotholes in locations that havebeen pre-determined by thesurvey crews. Shot holes arethen loaded with an explosivecharge and plugged accordingto provincial regulation.Phase 5:Data Acquisition(Recording)The data acquisition(or recording) companylays out geophones. Afterdetonation from explosivesor vibroseis, data is collectedfor analysis.Phase 6: Clean-up &ReclamationUpon program completion, allwork sites must be cleanedup and reclaimed according togovernment regulations andstakeholder agreements.SFOS FOR ALL PHASESThe Seismic Field Operations Supervisor (SFOS) course(currently under re-development) will, in the fi rst quarter of 2010,become a multi-level training course with the requirement thatcandidates gain work experience between levels:• SFOS Level I – Supervisor Accountability (three-day course)• SFOS Level II – Program Management (fi ve days of training)The SFOS courses cover the supervisor’s responsibilities for allphases of a geophysical exploration project.Phase 1: Land Permitting / Scouting• Scouting• Understanding permits• Stakeholder communicationPhase 2: Line Surveying• Types of surveying equipment• Buried facilities locatingSeismic Permit AgentSurvey HelperGPS SurveyorBuried Facilities LocatorChainsaw BuckerMulcher OperatorFallerFaller TutorDriller’s HelperDrillerDrill PushLine Crew HelperShooter / BlasterObserverCompleted by the DataAcquisition workforceCareers /PositionsPhase 3: Line Construction• Line construction• Falling requirements• Mulcher operations• Environmental areasPhase 4: Shot Hole Drilling and Loading• Seismic drilling equipment• Seismic blaster requirement• Safe work procedures• See Permit, Plat andRelease forms on the CAGCwebsite under Publications• Seismic Flagging Poster• Terrain OperationAssessment Guidelines• Geophysical MulchingOperations• Dangerous Tree Control -IRP 11• Terrain OperationAssessment Guidelines• Heli-assist / Heli-portableOperations• Seismic Activity Near NEB RegulatedPipelines• Recommended Product Testing andSpecifi cations for Electric SeismicDetonators for Use in Seismic Operations• Safe Operating Procedures for SeismicDrilling and Blasting• Ground Disturbance in the Vicinity ofBuried Facilities - IRP 17• Heli-assist / Heli-portable Operations• iButton Use for Security Surveillance onExplosive Magazines• Dust Suppression on Seismic Drilling Rigs• Alberta First Aid Requirements• Alberta First Aid Requirements• Misfi red Charges / Misfi redCharges Checklist• OSCAR Program - First Aidin Heli-assist / Heli-portableOperations• Heli-assist / Heli-portableOperations• Seismic Inspection Checklists• Terrain OperationAssessment Guidelines• Seismic Crew EmploymentStandardsTraining Requirements &Best PracticesPhase 5: Data Acquisition (Recording)• Recording equipment• Recording parameters• Methods of data acquisitionPhase 6: Clean up and Reclamation• Regulations• ResponsibilitiesThe courses also cover topics that apply to all levels ofemployees and phases of operation, including:• OHS Regulations and Responsibilities• Hazard Assessment/Management• Incident Investigation• Journey Management• Fitness for Work• Seismic Permit Agent• Seismic Permit Agent Refresher• Buried Facilities Locator – Basic• Buried Facilities Locator – SeismicNote: Most training is subject to required, job- and site-specifi c safety training.See full Training Best Practices information at www.cagc.ca.Green = Entry level positionBlue = Intermediate Position Red = Advanced Position• Level I – Chainsaw BasicsChainsaw Faller CompetencyProgram• Level II – Faller Entry• Level III- Faller Evaluation• Level IV – Faller Tutor• Faller Challenge• Mulcher Operator• Seismic Drilling• Seismic Blaster Safety Training(with 6 months fi eld experience)• Seismic Drilling• Seismic Blaster Safety Training(depending on responsibilities)• Seismic Drilling• Seismic Blaster Safety Training• Seismic Blaster Safety Trainingwww.enform.caEnform CoursesCAGC has applied for Alberta provincial governmentoccupational registration for seismic field operationssupervisors under the Professional and OccupationalAssociations Registration Act (POARA). Only supervisors whohave completed the SFOS Level II – Program Managementcourse will be eligible to apply for the POARA designation.All designated POARA SFOS’s must renew their CAGCmembership annually to retain their designation.