An Oil Field Injury Lawyer You Can Trust
Have you recently been hurt or injured working on an oil rig? Contact oil rig injury lawyer, Mike Mahone, today to discuss your case.
Have you been hurt on an Oil Field?
Oil field workers are much more susceptible to injury on the job than many other industrial workers. This is due to several factors, including the fast-paced work environment, poorly trained employees, and unsafe working conditions. Machinery and tools represent potential risks for oil field workers, along with dangerous chemicals. The list goes on and on, but the point remains the same – it’s a hazardous environment, and workers get injured. When oil field accidents happen, it’s always a good idea to talk with a personal injury attorney who can help guide an injured worker through the maze of doctors, insurance claims, and paperwork.
Common Oil Field Accidents and Injuries
According to a US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration report, quoted by eenews.org, the percentage of injuries in the Oil and Gas industry is far above similar incidents for other heavy industries like construction and road maintenance. Severe injuries occur in the following categories and are listed by the number of incidents:
1) Amputation – loss of fingers or fingertips from improper tool use or machine operation.
2) Fractures – broken bones, primarily leg injuries.
3) Falls / Falling Objects – slick surfaces create added danger along with tools, and other objects dropped from above.
4) Fire / Explosion – flammable liquids combined with sparks from machinery and equipment.
Oil Field Explosions and Common Causes
One of the more severe causes of injuries, defined as injuries requiring hospitalization or loss of a body part, is oil field explosions. Explosions occur on oil fields due to:
- Smoking
- Welding
- Generators
- Static Electricity Build Up
- Power Tools
- Two-way Radios
- Vehicles
- Open Flames
Oil fields are exceptionally prone to explosions as well as fire due to working with flammable liquid. With an almost inexhaustible supply of oil to burn, an oil field fire can cause tremendous damage for a long time before being extinguished.
Violation of Safety Regulations
Another source of injuries on oil fields is unsafe working conditions due to safety regulation violations. According to CodeRedSafety.com, safety products, and training website, the top 10 safety violations for oil fields are for:
- Hazard Communications
- Respiratory Protection
- Floor Opening Guards
- General Duty
- Hazardous Chemicals Management
- First Aid and Medical Services
- Electrical and Wiring Methods
- Failure to Lock Out/Tag Out
- General Safety Requirements
- Mechanical Power-transmission Equipment
Safety programs, safety training, and adequate safety supervision all contribute to reducing oil field injuries. Overall, the oil and gas industry has some of the most stringent safety guidelines of any industry.
The US Department of Labor OSHA standards for oil and gas fields are combined with an aggressive program of worksite inspections that attempts to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities suffered by oil rig workers annually.
If you’ve been hurt in an oil field accident, call The Mahone Firm today for a free case evaluation.
