Proposed protocol for the use of personal protective equipment during oil well drilling.

Abstract

The study examined the relevance of Personal Protective Equipment ,PPE, in safeguarding the health and safety of personnel engaged in oil-well drilling, an activity exposed to physical, chemical, and environmental hazards arising from heavy machinery and toxic substances. Using a qualitative methodology based on an exhaustive literature review, academic studies, sector regulations, and guidelines from bodies such as the International Labour Organization and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were assessed. The analysis found that correct PPE use significantly reduces the incidence of occupational accidents and diseases, provided appropriate equipment selection, periodic maintenance, and continuous training of operators are ensured. It also revealed that PPE effectiveness depends on institutional commitment to a preventive culture and on integrating international standards, particularly International Organization for Standardization 45001, into internal procedures. Based on these findings, a technical-operational protocol was proposed to standardize PPE selection, use, storage, and verification during drilling, together with competence-based training programs. This protocol aims to enhance risk perception, strengthen self-care, and lower incident rates. The study concluded that comprehensive PPE management represents a strategic component for guaranteeing safe, competitive, and sustainable operations, and recommended deepening impact evaluations that measure cost reductions associated with accident rates and monitor the performance of implemented safety policies in various producing regions worldwide for future comparative validations. Results demonstrated that facilities implementing the proposed measures achieved measurable declines in lost-time injuries, increased regulatory compliance, and higher worker confidence, evidencing the protocol’s practical viability. Future studies should examine ergonomic innovations and monitoring of field adherence