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sometimes yelled his name when they jumped out of airplanes.
Tinkerbell is a fictitious flying character from the children's novel
Peter Pan). In any case, if the derrickman has to get out of the derrick
or mast quickly, he or she grasps a handle on the Geronimo and rides
it down on a special cable, or line, to the ground. The derrickman
controls the rate of descent by moving the handle to increase or
decrease braking action on the line.
When the bit is drilling and the pipe is in the hole, the
derrickman, using a built-in ladder in the derrick or mast for normal
descent, climbs down from the monkeyboard and works at ground
level. When not in the derrick or mast, derrickman monitor the
condition of the drilling mud. They make sure it meets the
specifications for drilling a particular part of the hole.
Rotary Helpers (Floorhands)
Depending on the size of the rig, its equipment, and other
factors, a contractor usually hires two or three rotary helpers, or
floorhands, for each work shift. On small rigs drilling shallow wells,
for example, two rotary helpers on a shift can safely and efficiently
perform the required duties. On large rigs drilling deep holes, and
offshore, the job usually requires three rotary helpers, but not always.
In either case, on conventional rigs, rotary helpers handle the lower
end of the drill pipe when they are tripping it in or out of the hole.
They also use large wrenches called “tongs” to screw or unscrew
(make up or break out) pipe. Some tongs are power tongs, which
replace conventional tongs. Besides handling pipe, rotary helpers also
maintain the drilling equipment, help repair it, and keep it clean and
painted.
Rotary helpers get their name from the fact that much of their
work occurs on the rig floor, near the rotary table – the traditional
device that turns the drill pipe and bit. Originally, they were also
called ,,roughnecks," probably because those who worked on early
rigs prided themselves in being rough and tough. Later, they became
rotary helpers, which added a little dignity to the title. They are also

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