Top 12 Floor Hand Skills to Put on Your Resume
Crafting a strong floor hand resume means showing how you work under pressure, think fast, and keep people safe while heavy iron moves and mud flows. Focus on skills that prove you can run the floor cleanly, support the driller without drama, and keep equipment humming. Precision. Awareness. Grit. Put those on display.
Floor Hand Skills
- Rigging
- Derrick
- Mud Systems
- Iron Roughneck
- Pipe Handling
- Blowout Preventers
- Top Drive Systems
- Well Control
- Shale Shakers
- Power Tongs
- Elevators (Oilfield)
- Drawworks
1. Rigging
Rigging covers the setup, use, and care of lifting gear on a drilling rig—slings, shackles, hooks, taglines, and the coordination that moves pipe, tools, and assemblies safely where they need to go.
Why It's Important
Good rigging keeps people out of the drop zone, puts heavy loads exactly where they belong, and prevents the kinds of incidents that stop operations cold.
How to Improve Rigging Skills
Train hard on safety: Hand signals, pinch points, load paths, exclusion zones. Make it muscle memory.
Earn certifications: Recognized rigger credentials (such as NCCCO Rigger) validate skill and sharpen judgment.
Inspect relentlessly: Check slings, hooks, and hardware every shift. Tag out damaged gear immediately.
Plan the lift: Know weights, centers of gravity, and rigging configurations before anyone takes the strain.
Shadow the pros: Learn from experienced riggers—how they spot trouble early and stage equipment smartly.
Stay current: Review updated procedures and toolbox talks; practice emergency responses, not just routine lifts.
How to Display Rigging Skills on Your Resume
2. Derrick
The derrick is the tall structural frame on a rig. It supports hoisting equipment, pipe handling, and the vertical movement of the drill string. Understanding derrick operations, hardware, and safe access procedures matters even at floor level.
Why It's Important
The derrick is the backbone of the hoisting system. When you understand its loads, limits, and components, you support faster tripping, cleaner connections, and safer pipe flow.
How to Improve Derrick Skills
Learn the layout: Crown, traveling equipment, monkeyboard, stabbing guides—know the parts and how forces move through them.
Practice safe access: Fall protection, tie-off points, and drop-object prevention aren’t optional—they’re ritual.
Refine communication: Clear radio calls and hand signals keep derrick, floor, and driller in lockstep.
Sharpen technical basics: Understand hoisting limits, line tension, blocks, and sheaves to predict how the system reacts.
Build fitness: Strength, balance, and endurance reduce mistakes when the pace spikes.
How to Display Derrick Skills on Your Resume
3. Mud Systems
Mud systems circulate and condition drilling fluid. The fluid cools the bit, carries cuttings, controls pressure, and stabilizes the wellbore. On the floor, you help keep it all steady.
Why It's Important
Right properties, right time. Mud that’s in spec keeps the well under control, protects the formation, and prevents expensive, dangerous surprises.
How to Improve Mud Systems Skills
Check properties regularly: Weight, viscosity, pH, sand content—report trends fast.
Control contaminants: Use shakers, desanders, and desilters effectively. Keep screens clean and solids moving out.
Maintain equipment: Pumps, lines, seals, and valves need routine attention before they fail.
Coordinate with the mud engineer: Flag changes in returns, pit volumes, or pump pressure immediately.
Respect the hazards: Follow PPE and handling protocols for chemicals, hot fluids, and high-pressure lines.
How to Display Mud Systems Skills on Your Resume
4. Iron Roughneck
An Iron Roughneck automates making up and breaking out drill pipe connections. It clamps, spins, and torques joints with precision, taking strain off the crew.
Why It's Important
It slashes manual handling, improves torque accuracy, and keeps hands away from crush points.
How to Improve Iron Roughneck Skills
Service on schedule: Hydraulics, sensors, grips, and seals need consistent checks and calibration.
Train for scenarios: Normal ops are easy. Practice jams, misalignment, and low-visibility recoveries.
Use guards and interlocks: Never bypass safety devices; verify they function before the shift starts.
Dial in torque control: Confirm torque settings and verify with QA checks to protect threads and tools.
Communicate clearly: Floor, driller, and derrick coordinate each move—no surprises when clamping or spinning.
How to Display Iron Roughneck Skills on Your Resume
5. Pipe Handling
Pipe handling covers lifting, racking, stabbing, and laying down drill pipe, casing, and tubing—using elevators, slips, tongs, and mechanized aids to move steel safely and fast.
Why It's Important
Flawless pipe handling prevents dropped strings, smashed fingers, thread damage, and downtime. It’s the heartbeat of the floor.
How to Improve Pipe Handling Skills
Train on procedures: From stabbing to spinning to setting slips—practice until every motion is crisp.
Stage gear smartly: Keep tools positioned for the next step; reduce reach, twist, and clutter.
Use mechanical aids: Elevators, spiders, and catwalk systems exist to cut manual strain—use them right.
Inspect threads and tools: Dirty or damaged threads cost time; worn dies and slips do damage. Fix before failure.
Protect the crew: Enforce PPE, taglines, and clear zones. Talk constantly when moving heavy joints.
How to Display Pipe Handling Skills on Your Resume
6. Blowout Preventers
Blowout Preventers (BOPs) are high-pressure safety systems that close in the well, control flow, and protect the rig during abnormal pressure events or planned operations.
Why It's Important
BOPs are the last line of defense against uncontrolled flow. They protect lives, equipment, and the environment.
How to Improve Blowout Preventers Skills
Follow strict maintenance: Pressure tests, function tests, seal inspections—document everything.
Drill the crew: Practice well-control responses until each role is automatic under stress.
Use real-time monitoring: Keep eyes on hydraulic status, accumulator volumes, and control panels.
Integrate systems: Ensure BOP controls align with rig ESDs and well-control procedures.
Meet standards: Work to recognized industry requirements and local regulations without shortcuts.
How to Display Blowout Preventers Skills on Your Resume
7. Top Drive Systems
Top drives rotate the drill string from above, automate connections, and streamline tripping. Less manual handling, tighter control, better pace.
Why It's Important
They speed up operations, reduce hazard exposure, and improve torque management. The floor runs smoother when the top drive runs right.
How to Improve Top Drive Systems Skills
Maintain proactively: Track lubrication, cooling, and wear items to stop failures before they start.
Train for abnormal events: Power loss, control faults, stall conditions—practice recoveries.
Optimize operation: Use recommended RPM/torque windows and connection practices to protect equipment.
Keep comms tight: Driller calls, floor responses, derrick alignment—no lag between teams.
Review standards: Align maintenance and safety checks with company and industry guidance.
How to Display Top Drive Systems Skills on Your Resume
8. Well Control
Well control means holding the pressure balance in the wellbore and preventing uncontrolled flow. Early kick detection, correct responses, and disciplined procedures keep the well stable.
Why It's Important
It prevents blowouts. Simple as that—and it protects people, the well, and the environment.
How to Improve Well Control Skills
Master the basics: Hydrostatic pressure, gas behavior, influx indicators, and shut-in steps.
Get certified: Complete recognized training such as IADC WellSharp and refresh on schedule.
Know the equipment: BOP functions, choke manifold paths, kill lines, and control systems—hands-on familiarity.
Run drills often: Simulate kicks, hard shut-ins, and communication under pressure.
Follow procedures: No improvisation when shutting in. Log pressures, verify lines, confirm valves.
Stay alert: Watch pit volumes, flowback, pump pressure, and cuttings behavior. Report immediately.
How to Display Well Control Skills on Your Resume
9. Shale Shakers
Shale shakers separate drilled cuttings from mud using vibrating screens, letting cleaned fluid return to the system and waste move along for disposal.
Why It's Important
Efficient cuttings removal keeps mud properties in the sweet spot, reduces dilution, protects equipment, and lowers environmental and disposal costs.
How to Improve Shale Shakers Skills
Pick the right screens: Match mesh to formation and rate of penetration; change promptly as conditions shift.
Install and tension correctly: Stop bypass and extend screen life with proper fit and torque.
Maintain methodically: Inspect for blinding, tears, cracked sidewalls, and loose fasteners.
Tune the setup: Adjust deck angle and vibration to optimize conveyance and dryness.
Mind the mud: Keep viscosity and solids loading in range so the shakers can actually work.
Clear discharge paths: Prevent backups that flood decks and stall separation.
Always follow your company’s safety rules and manufacturer guidance when servicing shaker equipment.
How to Display Shale Shakers Skills on Your Resume
10. Power Tongs
Power tongs apply controlled torque to make up and break out pipe connections. Operated locally or remotely, they cut manual hazard and standardize torque.
Why It's Important
Consistent torque protects threads, speeds connections, and keeps hands away from danger zones.
How to Improve Power Tongs Skills
Prioritize safety features: Functional guards, emergency stops, interlocks, and no-go zones verified before use.
Maintain for accuracy: Calibrate torque systems, inspect dies and backups, replace worn parts quickly.
Operate with finesse: Align properly, avoid side loads, and confirm torque-turn charts to prevent over-torque.
Reduce strain: Use correct slings, balances, and positioning to minimize awkward handling.
Train for anomalies: Cross-threading, spinning joints, and stuck connections—practice responses.
How to Display Power Tongs Skills on Your Resume
11. Elevators (Oilfield)
Oilfield elevators latch onto collars or pipe bodies to lift and lower tubulars. They’re a central part of the hoisting system and demand precise use.
Why It's Important
Reliable elevators keep heavy strings secure while moving. Miss a latch or overload a body and the risk spikes instantly.
How to Improve Elevators (Oilfield) Skills
Verify fit and rating: Use the correct size and load rating for the tubular and operation.
Inspect before every lift: Check latch function, hinge pins, dies, and wear surfaces. No guesswork.
Confirm engagement: Audible and visual checks that the latch is closed and locked—every time.
Handle with care: Avoid impacts and misuse that cause hidden damage; store properly between runs.
Follow standards: Adhere to company procedures and recognized inspection intervals for hoisting gear.
How to Display Elevators (Oilfield) Skills on Your Resume
12. Drawworks
The drawworks is the hoisting engine—winch, brakes, drum, and controls that raise and lower the drill string and manage weight-on-bit.
Why It's Important
Controlled hoisting and dependable braking keep the operation safe. Precision here prevents catastrophic mistakes.
How to Improve Drawworks Skills
Inspect and maintain: Brakes, cooling, clutches, bearings, and drums need routine care and documented checks.
Manage the line: Reeve and slip drill line as specified; monitor wear and replace before limits are hit.
Verify controls: Test sensors, alarms, and emergency stops at the start of shift.
Operate smoothly: Maintain consistent speeds, avoid shock loads, and coordinate with the floor for transitions.
Train for failures: Brake fade, control loss, or power interruptions—drill response steps under supervision.
How to Display Drawworks Skills on Your Resume
