Common Causes of Oilfield Accidents

Working in oil fields presents many dangers for workers. If you've been hurt on the job, call Rasansky Law Firm at (214) 651-6100.

In an article by the Texas Oil & Gas Association, 78 percent of oilfield job accidents occur due to unsafe behavior. However, oil fields can have unsafe conditions including spilled liquids on walkways, moving parts that may catch clothing and the transportation and upkeep of explosive substances. Despite stringent safety regulations, oil field workers continue to suffer work injuries or wrongful death because of oilfield accidents.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains a fatality log that gives an account of oil field accidents and occupational injuries. Other potential oilfield accidents include:

• Pipes that can roll over and strike an employee
• Electrocutions
• Employees can be caught between heavy machinery in operation
• Items can hit an employee's head
• Falls from an oil field structure
• Fires can ignite clothing or body

Violations oil field companies commit.

Oil field companies can positively affect the safety of oil field workers. However, by showing negligence and improper operational procedures, an oil field company can place literally thousands of employees in danger of a work accident.
Some of the citations issued include:

• Damaged cables
• Improper training of employees to operate heavy machinery
• Using defective equipment
• Failure to provide proper certification for employees to operate heavy machinery

Case studies of oil field accidents.

Oil field job accidents can be a serious incident for employees that may lead to wrongful death. In one news report, a Wyoming man suffered fatal injuries to his head while working at an oil field. After being struck, the man appeared to be dazed and suffered from immediate memory loss. When found, he was bleeding from the back of his head. After another employee asked him what happened, the man responded, "What do you mean. What happened?" The injured employee died six days later from brain trauma from his occupational injury.
Oilfield workers may suffer job injuries that last a lifetime. In a news report by the Reporter-News, two Sweetwater oil field workers survived a tank battery fire. While disconnecting a water line on a unit, a nearby gas line became loose and the gas immediately ignited. Although the fire from the raw gas was quickly distinguished, the men suffered serious injuries including inhaled heat, smoke and gas fumes. The men also suffered burns to their bodies.
Rasansky Law Firm is committed to being an advocate for individuals who suffer from injury or wrongful death resulting from a workplace accident. If you feel that you or a loved one suffers due to workplace injury, do not hesitate to fill out our free online case evaluation form or call us at (214) 651-6100. Our team of experienced job injury lawyers will gladly review the facts of your situation and explain your legal options.