Despite their colorful name,
roustabouts do some of the most
down to earth work there is.
Roustabouts work at oil fields
and off-shore rigs
on a variety of tasks
to keep the oil flowing
and operations safe.
They assemble and disassemble pipes,
pumps, and engines;
load and unload trucks;
search out leaks and repair equipment.
They also guide cranes,
and, when working in oil fields,
dig holes for oil derricks,
and drainage ditches.
Clean up is a frequent,
daily task on the job.
Typically, oil and gas workers
spend long weeks outdoors
in all types of weather.
They must pay close attention to safety,
for their sake
as well as those around them.
Protective clothing such as hard hats,
gloves, and coveralls
are necessary most of the time,
and all-weather gear
is worn when the weather requires it.
Roustabouts’ work schedules
may depend on weather conditions
and production demands.
They often work on contract,
so may have gaps in employment.
There are no formal education requirements
for roustabouts,
but many have a high school diploma
or have taken some college classes.
They need general mechanical knowledge
and familiarity with tools,
and most skills can be learned on the job.