Job description Roustabout in the North Coast Region

Find out what work is like for a roustabout in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers (NOC 85111).

Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

Description

Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers carry out a variety of general labouring duties and operate equipment to assist in the drilling and servicing of oil and gas wells. This unit group also includes labourers who assist in geophysical prospecting for oil and gas. They are employed by drilling and well servicing contractors and by petroleum producing companies.

Work week duration

Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers usually work more than 40 hours per week.
More than 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem at the rig floor during drilling and during the removal and replacement of strings of pipe or drill stem and drill bit
  • Maintain drilling equipment on the drill floor
  • Handle, sort and move drill tools, pipe, cement and other materials
  • Clean up rig areas
  • Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs and service equipment
  • May drive trucks to transport materials and well service equipment.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Walking and running
  • Keeping or regaining balance
  • Climbing

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Petroleum producing companies
  • Drilling and well servicing contractors

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Skin injury
  • Standard safety equipment
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Hazardous conditions
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • Sound and noise
  • High places
  • Extreme temperatures

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Close (at arm’s length)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 85111), and a list of similar occupations:

  • floorman/woman - oil and gas drilling
  • leasehand
  • oil field labourer
  • roughneck
  • roustabout
  • service rig helper
  • shakerhand
  • swamper - oil and gas
  • well treatment helper
  • wireline helper

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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