Roughneck
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Roughneck (or ruffneck) is a slang term for an unskilled or slightly skilled labourer in a number of industries. In particular, is the official name of a semi-skilled role on a North American oil rig. In Australia, a roughneck is known as a Driller's Offsider.
Originally the term was used in the travelling carnivals of 19th century America, almost interchangeably with roustabout. By the 1930s the terms had transferred to the oil drilling industry.
In the United Kingdom oil industry (1970s onwards) the term roughneck was specifically for the moderately skilled people who worked on the drill floor of a drilling rig, actually handling the specialised equipment for drilling, pressure control, etc. By contrast, a roustabout would perform more general labour, such as loading and unloading cargo from crane baskets, and being assistants to the welder, mechanic, electrician or other skilled workers. Usage in America appears to have been similar, and the terms had spread to the rest of the world at least by the mid-1990s.
[edit] Oilpatch roughnecks
In the North American oilfields, roughneck is one of several roles in the hierarchy on an oil rig. A roughneck's duties could include anything involved with the connecting and "tripping" of pipe down the well bore.
The roughneck crew of a land-based oil rig can be further divided into several positions:
Driller: The head or boss of the crew. Responsible for the control of the rig's machinery during drilling operation.
Derrickhand: Responsible for the "mud," the water + barite + bentonite + chemical mixture used in drilling oil wells, and for catching samples. Also assumes the position in the derrick, usually 60 to 90 feet off the ground, while "tripping pipe."
Motorhand: Responsible for the maintenance of the various engines, water pumps, water lines, steam lines, boilers, and various other machinery incorporated into the rig.
Floorhand (Chainhand): Works the "make-up" or "lead" tongs on the right side of the drilling floor. "Throws chain" (illegal but only recently being eliminated) while tripping in the hole.
LeaseHand (Worm): Usually the lowest member of the drilling crew. Works the "break-out" or "back-up" tongs on the left side of the drilling floor.
[edit] Roughneck in culture
The Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League uses an oil rigging roughneck, with a hockey stick, as one of their secondary logos.
The roughneck as a symbolic of hard work and toughness was the inspiration for the Calgary Roughnecks lacrosse team to adopt that name.
[edit] External links
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