Even though more people are using alternative energy, the world still relies heavily on oil. In the United States alone, more than 7 billion barrels of oil are used each year; almost 20 million barrels every day. To keep up with this demand, some companies plan to hire at least 5% more workers in the coming year.
Getting oil out of the ground is harrowing work, whether it happens on land or offshore. Workers handle flammable materials and use heavy machinery every day. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, people in this industry are more likely to die on the job than workers in many other fields. Many oil jobs are far offshore, where emergency help is not nearby. If a fire or explosion happens, the situation can turn deadly very quickly.
The worst injuries often happen to experienced oilfield workers. Over time, some workers may get too comfortable or too confident on the job. They are also usually given the most dangerous tasks. Long hours and stressful work can cause tiredness and small mistakes, and those mistakes can lead to serious, life-changing injuries.
When an oilfield accident happens, injured workers and their families need help from an experienced Texas oilfield accident lawyer who understands how oilfield injury cases work.
Oilfield Worker Injury Statistics
Working on an oil rig is extremely dangerous. The number of oil rigs has grown from about 800 in the late 1990s to around 1,300 today. As drilling has increased, work-related deaths have also gone up. The fatality rate has risen by about 30% in the last four years. Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana have the highest number of oilfield deaths.
Many experienced oilfield workers have been hospitalized after losing a limb, breaking bones, or suffering serious burns. The U.S. Labor Department believes that, due to the somewhat problematic work culture in the oil industry, oil companies actually report far fewer injuries than actually happen, by as much as 60%.
What Makes Texas Oilfields So Hazardous?
Many workplace injuries happen because heavy equipment is used the wrong way or safety rules are not followed. Workers are often expected to work long hours doing physically demanding jobs. These long hours can lead to fatigue and mistakes, which can put everyone’s safety at risk.
Elevated Platforms
One ill-considered step or a slip on a raised platform can lead to a deadly fall, even for the most experienced of oilfield workers. Falls in the oilfield have increased by about 2% each year since the industry expanded. Recent OSHA data shows that more than half of oilfield falls happened from heights over 30 feet. About 35% of these falls occurred while oil rigs were being put together or taken apart.
Heavy Equipment
When heavy equipment is used high above the ground, it can be dangerous for workers below. Between 2003 and 2006, about 22% of oilfield deaths were caused by workers being struck, crushed, or caught in heavy equipment. These work sites are very loud, which makes it hard for workers, regardless of their level of experience, to hear each other. This can be especially dangerous if equipment breaks or falls.
Transportation
Transportation accidents are a leading cause of death in the oilfield. Due to their high level of skill, many experienced workers work 8 to 12 hours a day for 7 to 14 days in a row. These long schedules can cause extreme fatigue, which can slow reaction time when traveling to and from a drilling site. Other transportation risks include helicopter crashes when flying to or from offshore oil rigs.
Unplanned Explosions
Oil and the chemicals used in drilling can easily catch fire. When pressure builds up, it can cause an explosion or start a fire on the rig. According to OSHA, 14% of oilfield deaths between 2011 and 2015 were caused by fires and explosions.
Improving Safety in Texas Oilfields
Too many experienced oilfield workers have died or suffered severe injuries while working. Improved safety regulations could have avoided many of these mishaps. Tighter regulations and more thorough inspections may help identify threats earlier and lessen the severity of oilfield mishaps.
Oil rigs are using more automation as technology advances. This enables employees to relocate from hazardous locations to safer positions where they can keep an eye on machinery. By giving new hires the right training and better protective gear, oil companies can also increase worker safety.
Were You Injured in a Texas Oilfield Accident?
If you or a loved one were injured in an oilfield accident, you don’t have to handle this alone. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. To speak with a skilled Texas oilfield injury lawyer from Parks Law, call (713) 979-3500 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule your free consultation.