Working on an oil rig is more than a job; it’s a career. Oil and gas workers live on self-contained islands. They are more than a labor force - they are tightly knit communities with much in common with frontier pioneers.

Every day these workers take on challenges posed by both nature and technology. Their tasks can be among the most challenging and dangerous in the world, so they need gear they can rely on. Resilient products aren’t optional. They are vital.

Headlamp guide

Oil rig headlamps that resist wear

The best headlamp for oil rig work will be unaffected by exposure to grease, petroleum-based oils, and hundreds of other chemical compounds commonly found in the course of daily operations. The light’s casing should also be insulated from corrosive gas and chemicals that would cripple other headlamps.

It’s also vital that the headlamp be shockproof. If your lamp is bumped or dropped from a great height, you’ll need to be able to pick it up, dust it off, and have it working as good as new.

To achieve this level of durability the shell should be composed of a hard-wearing polymer plastic, like ABS, twinned with molded rubber knobs to absorb shock from collisions and falls. 

Our VIZION Z3 Headlamp was built to do exactly this - the heavy rubber knobs on either end enclose the headlamp and provide shock absorption. Because there’s no hinge to break - it rotates inside the barrel - that won’t fail either. The big button, which can be easily used with heavy gloves, is also designed to never break or get stuck. 

Given that we’ve been developing advanced lighting for underwater use for decades, you can rest assured that your VIZION can handle even the most extreme rainy conditions. 

Safety-first headlamps 

Robust safety standards for oil and gas exploration are non-negotiable. The headlamps for this environment must be safety rated at the highest level, namely Class I, Division I. 

Because of the constant exposure to combustible materials, oil rig worker headlamps need to be “intrinsically safe”, a designation that means the headlamps are manufactured to ensure that they cannot be a source of ignition in hazardous areas. Learn more about intrinsic safety with our guide. 

Always check the safety certification of your headlamp, flashlights and other lighting products to ensure that they meet the requirements of your environment. If you have any queries, please contact us, and we’ll happily advise on the best safe lighting options available. 

Our VIZION I HEADLAMP - CI D1 is classified to the highest safety standard - appropriate for use in even the most hazardous environments. 

Hands-free lighting

Almost all offshore oil rig work is done while wearing PPE, so an oil rig worker’s headlamp must fit onto a helmet and stay in place.

There cannot be a concession of time or safety standards in having workers remove PPE, like the hard hats or safety gloves, to adjust their headlamp regularly. It’s unproductive and dangerous.

Our VIZION headlamps are secured by a no-slip rubber helmet band, or a helmet mounting plate. The lighting unit can also be removed and used as a lamp.

Adaptable lighting for oil rig headlamps 

The ideal headlamp for oil rig work should cast light on the job near and far. The varied work in this environment calls for a variety of lighting and brightness modes. A  low power energy-saving mode for arm’s length visibility, and a more powerful beam that throws stronger light.

With the simple press of a button, you should be able to switch between a variety of beam modes. 

Our VIZION headlamps offer:

• A red light mode would aid visibility in conditions where you need to maintain the human eye’s natural night vision. 
• A diffuse flood mode would spread the light over a wider area or focus. 
• A spot light mode concentrates the beam on a tighter area. This casts the light through fog, sleet and darkness and rain, smoke and mist.

You can even remove the lamp and use it as a standalone work light for cramped spaces. 

Final thoughts on oil rig headlamps

Men and women who work on oil rigs never fail to answer the job’s high-pressure demands, even in the face of unpredictable elements.  The headlamps they use should do likewise.

When looking for the best headlamp for oil rig and offshore drilling, consider the following features: 

• The ability to work in cramped environments 
• Hands-free operation
• Multiple lighting modes
• Durable and weather-resistant
• Intrinsically safe 
• Strong battery life

We highly recommend our VIZION Headlamps, which provide oil rig workers with all of the above benefits and much more.  If you have any questions, we are here to help.