A tool pusher supervises and coordinates operations on oil or gas drilling rigs, ensuring workers are on task and safe. They perform administrative tasks, schedule maintenance, inspect equipment, and may hire and train new workers. Experience in rigging jobs is important, and some pursue business degrees for career advancement.
A tool pusher works on site on an oil or natural gas drilling rig to coordinate and supervise operations. He or she performs several important administrative tasks to ensure that workers do their jobs. People on this job also schedule regular preventative maintenance on machines and personally inspect platforms to ensure they are kept safe and in good working order. Many begin their careers as rig workers and advance within their companies to managerial positions with years of experience and proven leadership skills.
Onshore and offshore oil rigs can be very busy and dangerous places to work. It is the tool pusher’s responsibility to ensure that workers are kept on task at all times. The supervisor explains the daily tasks and monitors the quality of the finish. He or she performs many of the same functions as administrative professionals in other settings, such as setting workers’ schedules and distributing paychecks. In addition, a supervisor meets regularly with workers to resolve performance issues and discuss safety issues.
An experienced tool pusher is able to identify and fix minor problems before they become major setbacks. A professional regularly inspects rigs to ensure tools, machines and bits are clean and in good condition. If machinery needs to be repaired or replaced, the tool pusher coordinates with mechanics to complete the job as quickly as possible.
In addition to supervising workers and performing quality control, a tool pusher may also be responsible for hiring and training new workers. He or she can determine the need for additional manpower, create advertisements, conduct interviews, and place new workers in appropriate positions. He or she often leads classroom instruction courses and hands-on on-site training programs to prepare workers for their new jobs.
There are no set educational requirements to become a tool pusher, although most professionals have at least high school diplomas. Most get their positions after proving their skills in other rigging jobs. It is important for a person in this position to gain experience as a worker so that he or she can fully understand the mechanics of oil rigs. In addition to gaining hands-on experience, some tools specialists decide to pursue associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in business administration in order to improve their credentials and understand management. With a degree, a skilled tool pusher may have the opportunity to advance further within a company to the ranks of chief supervisor or chief executive officer.
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