Common Causes of Oilfield Accidents
Due to dangerous workplace conditions, common oilfield accidents happen often in the state of Texas. In fact, the oil and gas industry has one of the highest rates of severe injuries in the United States. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), there were 489 workers from the oil and gas industry that died on the job from 2013 – 2017.
Common oilfield accidents can happen if safety protocols and equipment used on the worksite are not properly monitored. The more these safety measures are ignored, the more likely it will be that an oilfield worker can get severely or fatally injured while on the job.
The top serious injury attorneys at Sears Crawford are here to explain why these common oilfield accidents happen, and what actions you can take to get justice if you are injured while on the job.
What causes common oilfield accidents?
In a work environment as dangerous as an oil field, there are many, many factors as to why common oilfield accidents can occur, but they all can boil down to a few main issues in the workplace. The following reasons are the most common causes for major accidents in the oil and gas industry.
1. Ignoring safety regulations
The oil gas industry has standards and regulations in place to ensure the safety of all oil field employees. However, there are cases where an injury occurred as a result of neglectful behavior –– ignoring these safety regulations. This can include forgetting to wear the mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE), keeping floors and hallways clear of unnecessary items, and not cleaning up any spills or messes caused by the equipment.
Injuries can also occur as a result of poor training. Inexperienced workers are liabilities when working in an oilfield. Red flags can be overlooked, procedures can be forgotten, and the list goes on. Bottom line, poorly trained employees are more likely to make mistakes that can result in serious injuries or death.
2. Equipment malfunctions
Employees that work on oil rigs are tasked with operating heavy machinery on a daily basis. And for these workers to successfully perform their jobs in the oil and gas field, the equipment needs to function properly. Unfortunately, defective products or poor maintenance are often the cause of serious and common oilfield accidents in the form of falling equipment, entrapment, ruptures, or explosions.
Not properly checking or monitoring equipment on-site can lead to severe injuries. If you believe your injuries were caused by faulty or poorly maintained equipment, contact a defective product lawyer from Sears Crawford immediately to take on your case.
3. Explosions and fires
Explosive substances such as volatile gases or liquids are often present in oil fields. All it takes is one involuntary spark to start a fire or ignite an explosive. Workers who suffer severe burns or injuries in plant explosions and fires also sustain life-altering injuries and damages that require serious lawyers to protect their rights to compensation.
The emotional and psychological scars that come from enduring a severe burn can have lasting effects. As the medical expenses start to pile up, they can quickly become an overwhelming burden for those suffering from a burn injury.
4. Hydrogen sulfide poisoning
Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas found in petroleum and natural gas. Without proper ventilation in the workspace, workers can become overly exposed to the gas which, depending on how much is inhaled over time, can result in severe nervous system impairment, unconsciousness, or even death.
What is the most common injury on a rig site?
Out of the major accidents in the oil and gas industry, slip and fall-related injuries occur the most often in oil fields. This job often requires workers to access equipment or platforms that are high above the ground –– and without proper safety procedures, workers are at risk of significant injuries if something goes wrong. Slip and fall injuries can result in broken bones, brain injuries, paralysis, or even death.
Injuries that occur on the way to and from the oilfield
Quite frequently, oilfield workers are injured on their way to and from the workplace.
According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 4 out of 10 workers killed on the job in this industry are killed as a result of a highway vehicle incident, which can often be the result of an 18 wheeler hauling product or supplies to and from the oilfields. Contact a Houston 18 wheeler accident lawyer if you believe that you are entitled to compensation as a result of a truck accident.
If you or your loved one was a victim of oil field fatal accidents, please contact a wrongful death attorney from Sears Crawford so that you can get the justice you deserve.
What happens if I’ve been injured in an oilfield accident?
The first step to take after an oilfield accident is to seek medical attention. Your health and safety should be your top priority.
Second, contact an attorney to help you file a claim. An injury could prevent you from working for a period of time, depending on the severity of your injuries. You should not have to carry the financial burden of large medical bills or losing work wages due to someone else’s negligence.
We understand that suing your employer can be a scary thought, but you deserve to have justice while you heal from your injuries. Not only will compensation help pay your injury-related bills, but a claim can help confront unsafe practices that may be happening at your workplace and prevent future injuries or fatalities from occurring.
Get Compensation for Injuries Caused by Common Oilfield Accidents with Sears Crawford.
For serious injuries, hire a serious attorney. The serious personal injury lawyers from Sears Crawford can help you fight for the financial compensation you deserve as a result of common oilfield accidents. We are committed to helping our clients obtain the maximum amount of compensation possible to help aid your recovery process.
Call 713-223-3333 to request a free consultation with our attorneys.
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