Oil Rig Floorhand Job Description

The floorhand works on the platform floor, usually with one other floorhand. If you look at the diagram of a floating oil rig, you will see that there are many platforms-some below the water and some above. The main platform where much of the work is done is where the floorhand spends much of his time. It is an outdoor job.

The floorhand is a junior member of the rig team. The floorhand is exposed to various tasks required to run the oil rig. Responsibilities include maintaining equipment on the rig, mixing the "mud" for drilling, working with chemicals and generally assisting more senior members of the crew.

As a floorhand- and relatively new to the team-you will be learning to work in sometimes harsh weather conditions. You will be required to work alongside of your rig team members and get along in difficult situations. This is a good time for the floorhand to demonstrate his ability to work under these conditions and to be seen as an asset to the team. Your willingness to "do whatever it takes" to get the job done will gain you recognition and opportunity in the oil rig industry. Don't forget too, there is training and certification that can be offered, if management deems you to be someone they want to keep around.

Being physically fit and strong is an obvious requirement for this position. You will be asked to work long hours for days on end. Your integrity and work ethic needs to shine even though you often will feel like you need to rest or sleep. Perseverance will pay off.

Difficult and maybe even demeaning cleaning chores fall to the floorhand. While this may be difficult to take in the beginning, remember that you are proving yourself in this position. Just suck it up and do whatever it takes. It won't be long before you are offered training for other, higher-up positions.

The right attitude is to remember that the floorhand is available to help in all aspects of running an oil rig. That means that you will get exposed to just about everything. This is invaluable in terms of a career in the offshore oil rig industry. You have to start somewhere; and, even if you have some experience in other industries that translates to this industry, you will need the exposure. It is entirely different, in many ways than a mainland job.

You will be surprised at how good the pay is when you take into account that your lodging and food is provided. There is really nothing on which to spend money. So for the weeks that you are working, you are saving as well. Benefits are usually excellent with oil companies.

Along with good employment packages, you can expect to earn $25 to $30 a day along with a living allowance of $50 a day. If you have any special skills, don't forget to mention those when interviewing/applying for a floorhand job. If you can cook, perform first aid, are CPR trained - all of those extra skills can put you at the top of the list for getting hired.