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Rig hand skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical rig hand skills. We ranked the top skills for rig hands based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 19.7% of rig hand resumes contained tongs as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a rig hand needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 rig hand skills for your resume and career

1. Tongs

Here's how rig hands use tongs:

Tripped pipe* Maintenance rig* Operated hydraulic tongs
Operated power tongs, pushed pipe up the catwalk, ran rig pump, cleaned and painted the rig and tools.

2. CDL

Here's how rig hands use cdl:

Learned more of forklift operation as well as extensive CDL Driving experience.Skills UsedOperation of various equipment and tools.
Obtained a CDL permit and did daily inspections on truck and hydraulic unit

3. H2S

Here's how rig hands use h2s:

Worked & certified around H2S Accomplishments I was acknowledged multiple times in big safety meetings for showing my awareness of safety.
Completed OSHA 10 and H2S certifications.

4. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how rig hands use cpr:

regulated vehicals Saftey training / CPR / First Aid.
Core drill hand, RC drill hand, mechanic, CPR certified, back hoe certified, crane certified

5. Flow Lines

Here's how rig hands use flow lines:

Monitored issues with the well such as closed valves along the flow lines in order to prevent pressure buildup.
Walk flow line and ensure there are no leaks and if there is, tighten bolts to seal leak.

6. PPE

Personal protective equipment is an item of protective clothing such as goggles, helmets, or other garments meant to protect the body from injury.

Here's how rig hands use ppe:

Help guide objects while elevated in air by crane inspect tools, equipment and PPE before using.
Distribute Safety Supplies to all yards to ensure employees are equipped w proper PPE per OSHA specs.

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7. Mud Pumps

Here's how rig hands use mud pumps:

Rig up/down power swivels, mud pumps and circulation tanks.
Checked and maintained mud pumps and motors.

8. Floor Hands

Here's how rig hands use floor hands:

Oversee floor hands to insure the job was getting done in a safe and timely manner.
Promoted again in 6 months to Motor Hand and management of all Floor Hands.

9. General Maintenance

General maintenance is the regular check-up and repairs of machinery, buildings, and other mechanical equipment. General maintenance is performed by repair workers who are skilled to handle the day-to-day defects produced in the machinery. General maintenance aims to make sure the items remain in the best operational conditions. Usually, a set of planned activities are performed regularly by an expert to monitor the maintenance.

Here's how rig hands use general maintenance:

Perform general maintenance of draw works, load and off-load pipe and assists in rig movement.
Perform general maintenance on draw works, rotary system, pumps, and shakers.

10. Service Maintenance

Here's how rig hands use service maintenance:

Perform service maintenance on rigs and other equipment.
Performed service maintenance on rigs.

11. Fall Protection

Here's how rig hands use fall protection:

Work at heights frequently while wearing fall protection harness.
Pulled back pipe and placed into finger* Maintain proper safety operations and procedures of fall protections.

12. Water Truck

A water truck is a large vehicle that specializes in facilitating water transportation at a worksite.

Here's how rig hands use water truck:

Lay down crew filled drill holes, also ran a water truck and loader
Drive water truck, operate heavy equipment, maintenance on equipment and welding.

13. Swab

Here's how rig hands use swab:

Help on Swab Rig/Fix Leaks/Hook up Wells/Roustabout/Read Meters/Keep Records of Wells/Walk Pipelines/Soap & Flow Wells/Maintain the Running of Four Compressors
Pull rods/tubing and swab* Set plugs, perforate, and fracture wells.

14. Safety Equipment

Here's how rig hands use safety equipment:

Conducted monthly inventory and inspections of critical safety equipment.
Inspected facilities, machinery, and safety equipment to identify potential hazards and to insure safety regulation compliance.

15. Derricks

Here's how rig hands use derricks:

Inspected derricks prior to being raised or lowered and assisted the driller, derrick hand, and motor hand when needed.
Operated oil rig equipment on ground and in derrick for the pulling of pipe and rods for a production well.

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List of rig hand skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a rig hand resume and required skills for a rig hand to have include:

Tongs
CDL
H2S
CPR
Flow Lines
PPE
Mud Pumps
Floor Hands
General Maintenance
Service Maintenance
Fall Protection
Water Truck
Swab
Safety Equipment
Derricks
Emergency Situations

BOP
Drill Pipe
Equipment Maintenance
Thread Pipe
Hoisting
Manual Labor
Crew Truck
Front End Loader
Safety Procedures
Air Compressors
Bobcat
Pipe Connections
Water Pumps
Pipe Wrenches
Routine Maintenance
Well Control

Water Lines
Physical Labor
Motorized Lifts
Drill Floor
Power Wrenches
Core Samples
Drilling Fluid
Equipment Operation
Oil Changes
Safety Training
Pump Jacks
Rig Moves
Tank Batteries
Oil Rigs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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