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Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

OaSIS code 85111.00

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.

Overview

Also known as

  • 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

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • 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.

Additional information

  • Progression to more senior operating positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (83101)
  • Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (84101)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

TEER

5 – Occupations usually require short-term work demonstration and no formal education

Major group

85 – Harvesting, landscaping and natural resources labourers

Sub-major group

851 – Harvesting, landscaping and natural resources labourers

Minor group

8511 – Mine and oil and gas drilling, services and related labourers

Unit group

85111 – Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

Occupational profile

85111.00 – Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Handling and Moving Objects
5 - Highest Level
Performing General Physical Activities
5 - Highest Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
4 - High Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
3 - Moderate Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
4 - More than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Drilling and well servicing contractors
  • Petroleum producing companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Stamina
5 - Highest Level
Static Strength
5 - Highest Level
Trunk Strength
5 - Highest Level
Body Flexibility
4 - High Level
Depth Perception
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Equipment and Tool Selection
3 - Moderate Level
Preventative Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Management of Material Resources
2 - Low Level
Monitoring
2 - Low Level
Numeracy
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Adaptability
3 - Important
Social Orientation
3 - Important
Active Learning
2 - Somewhat important
Attention to Detail
2 - Somewhat important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: R

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of introductory college or petroleum industry-approved training courses may be required.
  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • Certificates in hydrogen sulphide awareness, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) or transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) may be required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Chemistry
1 - Basic Level
Geological Resources
1 - Basic Level
Geoscience
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 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. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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