Oilfield Injuries | Looking for a local lawyer to represent you?
As the demand for crude oil and natural gas has increased a marked increase in drilling activity has occurred in Texas. Texas is the largest oil and gas producing state in the country. Therefore job opportunities in the oil industry are significantly high in our region. Due to the high demand for crews and equipment the industry is pressured to use inexperienced workers and unsafe equipment. This has led to unsafe work environments and increased work injuries caused by blowouts, pipeline explosions, equipment or transportation.
Common Oilfield Injuries Include:
FALL INJURIES
Job duties at an oil and gas company often require employees to climb and work from locations high off the ground. This increases the risks of severe injuries by falling. Falls from drilling platforms and elevated equipment can cause serious and life-threatening injuries.
BURN INJURIES
Oil and gas industry employers are regularly exposed to flammable gases and vapors which puts them at risks for severe injuries. Fires and explosions can quickly start when these materials come in contact with lightning, cigarettes, welding and cutting tools, open flames or electrical sources. Employers should conduct fire risk assessments to prevent these catastrophic injuries. It is crucial for these companies to enforce work safety guidelines and use engineering controls.
EQUIPMENT INJURIES
Faulty equipment and wrong use of equipment is responsible for three out of five fatalities on the gas and oil industry job sites. Employees come across many different machinery that is heavy and pose risks of severe injuries. Examples of dangerous equipment include cranes, moving pipes, derricks and transporting heavy loads and activities around pressurized lines.
TRANSPORTATION INJURIES
Most oilfield deaths are related to transportation, especially since employees must drive from one site to another through unsafe rural roads. Employers are responsible for protecting their workers by enforcing drive safety policies and developing work schedules to avoid dangers associated with driver fatigue.