6 Common Oilfield Injuries and Accidents: What You Need to Know

It is no secret that the oil and gas industry has some of the most dangerous jobs in America. In fact, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the industry’s occupational fatality rate is 2.5 times higher than the construction industry and 7 times higher than the general industry.

Many people are also surprised to find out that the oil and gas industry is actually composed of many sub-environments. These include, but are not limited to: extraction, drilling, production/well completion, transportation (pipelines), refining, natural gas processing plants, and petrochemical manufacturing. Each one of these areas has its own safety risks and is subject to unique injury patterns.

The following list is an overview of the most common oilfield injuries and accidents. It’s important to note that many people who work in this industry are exposed daily to multiple dangers, so the information below is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible risks.

Slip and Fall Accidents

These types of accidents are prevalent in many oil and gas work environments, especially when working at height or on unstable surfaces. Many times these accidents can be avoided with proper training and safe work procedures. Unfortunately, slips and falls continue to lead the list for the most common accident type in this industry.

Pipeline Failure

Working with pressurized pipelines is a huge risk for employees in the oil and gas industry. These pipelines transport most of the natural resources used to produce energy, so they are typically very busy and present many hazards. Pipeline failure accidents can be extremely dangerous because of the immediate release of large volumes of flammable or toxic gas.

Caught in Between Accidents

These types of accidents occur when an employee becomes trapped between moving equipment or machinery, typically on a drilling rig or at the well site. These are extremely dangerous because they can lead to severe blunt force trauma injuries and even death if not immediately identified and treated by medical personnel. 

Electrocution

While electrocution is a common industrial accident, it is extremely prevalent in the oil and gas industry, especially on drilling rigs. Accidents can happen when workers are exposed to energized electrical systems or equipment with faulty insulation. They can also occur when electrical equipment is not properly de-energized or grounded before maintenance, repair, and inspections. These accidents often result in life-threatening injuries such as cardiac arrest and respiratory failure.

Chemical Exposure

Like many industrial jobs, working with chemicals in the oil and gas industry requires employees to follow strict safety procedures at all times. Chemical exposure accidents can be extremely dangerous because these substances are often flammable, toxic, or corrosive. Many chemical exposures result in death if immediate medical attention is not received.

Fires and Explosions

Fires and explosions are some of the most dangerous types of accidents in any industry. Oilfield fires can be caused by many different things, including equipment malfunction, static electricity discharges, improper fueling procedures, or even arson. Fires that occur on drilling rigs or at oil well sites typically result in large numbers of fatalities because they happen so quickly.

Protecting Workers from Oilfield Injuries and Accidents

It’s important to remember that the vast majority of oil field accidents could be prevented if proper safety procedures are followed. Working as part of a team can help identify hazards before they lead to an accident, so employees need to work together to ensure their safety at all times. Employers should always provide adequate training and worker education to help their employees avoid injury or illness. Having a comprehensive safety program in place can also be extremely helpful, as it provides employers with an easy way to monitor all of the required safety protocols on job sites.

What Should You Do if You’re Injured on the Job?

If you are injured as a result of an accident at work, your priority is to get immediate medical attention. If you have been seriously injured or exposed to dangerous substances, contact emergency personnel right away and follow all instructions given by doctors and nurses. After receiving first aid treatment for your injuries, it’s important to file a report with your employer and to keep track of all medical care you receive.

If you believe your rights as an employee were violated, or that unsafe working conditions led to serious injury or illness on the job, contact Dobbs Law Firm right away. Dobbs Law Firm provides legal representation to oil field workers who have been injured on the job or those that had their rights violated as an employee of a drilling rig, well site, or any other part of the oil and gas industry across Texas. If you need more information about your legal options after suffering an injury on the job, contact Dobbs Law Firm today at (432) 580-0808 or visit their website at https://www.dobbslawfirm.com/ to get started.

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