Drilling Rig Leasehand and Floorhand

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing and Related Labourers (8615) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing and Related Labourers (I215) 
• 2011 NOC: Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers (8615) 

Leasehands are the most junior members of a drilling crew. They may:

• load and unload trucks
• perform housekeeping activities such as cleaning ice from walkways, cleaning tools and putting things away
• drive crew trucks as needed 
• watch for and remove hazards such as objects in travel routes 
• assist other crew members.

Floorhands spend a lot of time working on the rig floor. There often are two floorhands on a crew but smaller rigs may have only one. In general, floorhands:

• use wrench-like power tongs to smoothly and quickly connect and disconnect the lower parts of the drill pipe when it is being lowered into and raised from the hole
• catch samples of drilled cuttings to be analyzed
• assist in running casing into a well after it has been drilled
• clean and maintain equipment
• perform housekeeping tasks (keep the drilling floor clean, paint or scrub around the rig)
• assist other members of the drilling crew wherever needed.

Working conditions vary depending on rig locations and weather conditions. Leasehands and floorhands work outdoors, often year round in remote locations, exposed to extremes in weather as well as to the dirt, dust, noise and fumes common around rigs.

The work is physically demanding and may involve lifting items that weigh over 20 kilograms. Because the work is potentially hazardous, all drilling crew members must think and act quickly, always follow standard safety practices, and participate in safety meetings and emergency procedure drills. Hazards include:

• working on wet, slippery rig floors
• working near or with heavy tools and moving machinery
• exposure to chemical substances such as paint, motor oil and drilling fluid additives.

Drilling rig workers are responsible for their own transportation to the work site and are expected to move with the rig to new locations. Rigs frequently move throughout western Canada. Drilling rig workers typically work 12 hour shifts over a two week period while staying in camps or nearby towns. They get a week off between two week shift rotations.

Leasehands and floorhands need the following characteristics:

• a safety-conscious attitude
• physical strength and stamina
• emotional stamina
• an interest in working outdoors and in remote areas
• the ability to get along well with co-workers.

They should enjoy working with equipment and machinery, working in a team environment, and having clear rules and guidelines for their work.

Leasehands and floorhands are employed by oil and gas well drilling contractors. Some rigs operate year round but employment often is seasonal. Winter is the busiest season for drilling activity. Late fall and early winter are the best times for inexperienced applicants to inquire about upcoming job openings.

The most important requirements for advancement on drilling rigs are on-the-job training, a positive team attitude and the ability to learn new things quickly. New employees start as leasehands or floorhands and later advance to motorhand, derrickhand and driller positions. For more information about these occupations, see the Rig Technician occupational profile. A conscientious, hard working individual who has good leadership skills can move from a leasehand position to that of rig manager in eight to ten years.

Leasehands and floorhands are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 8615: Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers. In Alberta, 80% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Construction (PDF)
• Manufacturing (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 4,500 Albertans are employed in the Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 41 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As drilling rig leasehands and floorhands form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for drilling rig leasehands and floorhands.

Although expected occupational growth is below average, frequent recruitment is needed to deal with employment turnover, especially as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years. Experienced employees are in high demand to deal with vacancies.

Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) website: www.caodc.ca

Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) employment information websites: www.rigtech.ca and www.servicerigdrive.ca

Enform website: www.enform.ca

Petroleum Human Resources (PHR) Carrers in Oil and Gas (COG) website: www.careersinoilandgas.com

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.