Oil and Gas Derrick Operators
On the Job
Oil and Gas Derrick Operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill holes.
Physical Demands 
This career requires physical strength and time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
- Operate pumps or compressors.
- Inspect equipment or tools to be used in construction or excavation.
- Maintain drilling equipment.
- Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
- Install drilling equipment.
- Position construction or extraction equipment.
- Clean equipment or facilities.
- Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
- Monitor extraction operations.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Working outdoors exposed to weather.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Frequent contact with others.
- Working with a group or team.
- Making decisions that impact co-workers or company results.
- Repeating the same physical or mental task without stopping for periods of time.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
