Subject : Power tongs BULLETIN NO.
42
Purpose : Reminder SAFETY NOTICE
July, 1996
Effective : All BJ, Hillman-Kelly, Foster and Varco BJ Page 1 of 1
power tongs
SAFETY NOTICE
Varco BJ reminds the industry of the following procedures for the safe operation of power tongs:
1. Make sure that personnel are properly trained as to the safe operation and use of power
tongs. Power tongs should only be used by experienced personnel that are trained as to the
operation, use and maintenance of tongs..
2. Personnel should read and understand all operating, maintenance and safety instructions.
3. Do not remove or paint over warning labels. If you have a power tong that does not have a
warning plate on the tong front cover, contact a Varco BJ authorized repair facility for a
warning plate.
4. Never remove or alter power tong controls. Varco BJ strongly cautions against the use of
‘homemade’ controls and the removal or modifications of throttles, throttle guards and control
bracket weldments.
5. Do not operate power tongs without the guard doors in place (Does not apply to closed head
power tongs). The door should never be removed.
6. Never place hands within or near the rotating parts of power tongs while the power tongs are
connected to hydraulic/pneumatic hoses. Shut off the power unit and disconnect
hydraulic/pneumatic hoses before performing such work as changing tong jaws and dies,
adjustments, lubricating, etc.
7. Keep loose fitting clothing away from rotating parts of power tongs.
8. Always use a back-up line for all power tong operations.
9. A stiff arm back-up is strongly recommended. If a flexible line must be used (chain or cable) in
place of the stiff arm, the line must be horizontal and at a right angle to the longitudinal axis
with no slack in the line.
10. Operate power tongs from the back-up line side only (Does not apply to front control tongs).
11. Do not exceed the maximum pressure for which the system is rated.
12. Use only parts manufactured and sold by Varco BJ; repairs should only be done by authorized
Varco BJ repair facilities.
Failure to comply with the above procedure can result in injury to personnel and/or equipment
damage.
Nijverheidsweg 45 12950 West Little York Road Badentoy Cresent 8, Sixth Lok Yang Road Hilal Mubarak
4879 AP Etten-Leur Houston, Texas 77041 Badentoy Industrial Estate Jurong Al Mazroui Building
P.O. Box 17 P.O. Box 800457 Aberdeen Singapore 2262 Zayed 2nd. Street
4870 AA Etten-Leur Houston, Texas 77280-0457 AB12 4YD Tel.: 65-265 5066 Abu Dhabi
The Netherlands U.S.A. Scotland Fax: 65-264 0578 P.O. Box 27011
Tel.: (3176) 5083000 Tel.: (1713) 937-500 Tel.: (01224) 343630 Abu Dhabi
Accredited
Fax: (3176) 5016948 Fax: (1713) 937-5050 Fax: (01224) 343643 United Arab Emirates by the RVA
Tel.: 971-2-5552668
ISO-9001 REGISTERED FIRM
Fax: 971-2-5540012 DNV Certification B.V., THE NETHERLANDS
BULLETIN NO. .., Page 2 of 2
