Incidents that happen during the extraction, processing, or transportation of oil and gas are known as oilfield accidents. They may cause economic losses, environmental harm, fatalities, and injuries. From 2008 to 2017, 1,566 workers in the oil and gas drilling business and adjacent fields lost their lives as a result of injuries, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Some of the common causes of oilfield accidents are:
Automobile accidents: Oilfield workers frequently travel large distances on remote roads, sometimes when fatigued or in inclement weather. Accidents involving other cars, animals, or objects have the potential to be deadly or seriously injurious.
Large machinery, tools, and equipment frequently strike, crush, or entangle workers in the oilfield. This situation is known as being struck by, caught in, or caught-between. For instance, in 2023, a Texas laborer perished at an oil rig site in North Dakota after falling into a pit.
Explosions and fires: Sparks, static electricity, or defective wiring can all cause oil and gas to catch fire. Fires and explosions can result in fatalities, serious burns, or smoke inhalation. For example, in 2018, an oil rig detonated at a drill site in Oklahoma, killing five workers, Parker Waldridge among them.
Falls: Working at heights on platforms, scaffolds, or derricks is a common occurrence for oilfield workers. Slick surfaces, insufficient fall protection, or human error can all cause them to fall. Falls may cause fatalities, brain injuries, or broken bones.
Confined places: To carry out maintenance or inspection work, oilfield workers may need to enter confined spaces like tanks, pipelines, or vessels. These areas may include high temperatures, poisonous gases, or little oxygen, all of which can be extremely dangerous to one’s health.
By adhering to safety procedures, offering sufficient training and supervision, maintaining machinery and trucks, and donning personal protective equipment, oilfield mishaps can be avoided. On the other hand, uncontrollable outside forces like terrorism, sabotage, or natural disasters may be to blame for some oilfield mishaps. Emergency response and backup strategies are crucial in these situations to lessen the effects of oilfield mishaps.
How can I receive training in oil and gas?
Oil and gas training comes in a variety of forms, based on your objectives, needs, and interests. A variety of themes and disciplines related to the energy business are covered in the courses that you can pick from, which include virtual, in-person, classroom, and online options. Here are a few websites that provide instructions on oil and gas:
PetroSkills is an international supplier of thorough, industry-driven, and industry-approved oil and gas training courses offered both online and in person.
NExT: A network of excellence in training that provides individuals and companies in exploration and production with workforce optimization and capabilities solutions that are in line with corporate strategy.
Energy Institute: A professional association for members that provides free educational materials and expert-led training programs on a variety of subjects for all skill and experience levels.
EKT Interactive is an educational company that offers e-books, podcasts, and quick films to teach people and groups about oil and gas.
These websites allow you to search for training programs that meet your needs. In order to learn more about the oil and gas sector, you can also look for other internet resources like blogs, podcasts, webinars, or forums.
Petrolessons is an online resource that links professionals working in the oil and gas business with over 150 courses taught by professionals and firms in the field.
Which safety rules apply to employees working in oil fields?
- Provide workers with free personal protective equipment that fits properly and protects them in accordance with standards.
- Color-coded labels, posters, signage, and posters can be used to warn employees of potentially dangerous places.
- Make sure that the facility has well-maintained, safe tools and equipment.
- Give employees OSHA oil and gas training in a language they can comprehend.
- Create and implement a driver safety policy that will assist staff in identifying potential road dangers and guarantee that company-owned vehicles are appropriately and well-maintained.
- Observe the particular guidelines set forth by OSHA for site preparation (29 CFR 1926) and general industrial (29 CFR 1910).
These are some of the rules designed to prevent or lessen the common causes of accidents in the oilfield, including car crashes, being struck by, stuck in, or caught between fires and explosions, falls, and confined spaces.
On the other hand, oilfield workers must also be conscious of their rights and obligations, and they must notify OSHA or their supervisors of any infractions or dangers.
OSHA: What is it?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is known by the acronym OSHA. Established in 1970, this federal agency of the US Department of Labor works to guarantee safe and healthy working conditions for employees by establishing and enforcing regulations as well as offering outreach, education, support, and training.
OSHA covers the majority of employers and employees in the public and private sectors in all 50 states, as well as some federally controlled territories and jurisdictions. Additionally, state plans with their own occupational safety and health programs are partnered with OSHA.
Which safety regulations are frequently broken in the oilfield industry?
In the oilfield sector, a few frequent infractions of safety requirements include:
- not using or providing personal protective equipment, such as boots, helmets, goggles, and gloves.
- failing to warn or shield employees from dangerous locations, such as moving machinery, combustible materials, or high-pressure lines.
- neglecting to maintain or examine tools and apparatus, including tanks, hoses, pipes, and valves.
- failing to inform employees about emergency plans, dangers, or safety procedures through training or communication.
- not enforcing or adhering to driver safety regulations, such as those pertaining to inspecting the condition of the vehicle, preventing distractions, or restricting driving hours.
- disregarding OSHA requirements for site preparation (29 CFR 1926) or general industrial (29 CFR 1910), which include things like noise control, fall prevention, and opening guarding.
- Oilfield corporations and employees may face fines, fatalities, or severe injuries as a result of these infractions. Consequently, it’s critical to abide by safety rules and notify supervisors or OSHA of any hazards or infractions.
In the oilfield industry, how can I report a violation of safety regulations?
Depending on the type and seriousness of the infraction, as well as the jurisdiction and power of the regulatory bodies, there are various methods for reporting a safety regulation violation in the oilfield sector. The following actions are feasible for you to take:
Notify your employer: You should let your employer know about the infraction and observe their response before reporting it to a third party. Either they know about the infraction and don’t need to take remedial action, or they can be able to promptly and efficiently remedy the situation.
Speak with state or local agencies: You could also need to get in touch with state or local organizations that oversee oil and gas operations, depending on the specifics of the infraction and its location. For instance, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), which oversees the development and extraction of the state’s oil and gas resources, is the person to contact in Colorado if you find a violation. The COGCC has a procedure in place for notifying parties of suspected infractions and applying sanctions for noncompliance.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), which oversees the state’s oil and gas sector, is the person to contact in Oklahoma in the event of a violation. The OCC inspects and enforces oil and gas laws and regulations.
Contact BLM: The government organization in charge of overseeing the lease and development of oil and gas on public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), may also need to be contacted if the infraction takes place on federal property. The BLM can conduct inspections, take enforcement action, and issue instances of noncompliance for infractions at oil and gas operations.
These are a few methods that you can use to report an oilfield sector safety rule infringement. But you should always abide by the precise policies and standards set forth by the pertinent authorities and agencies. If you have any questions or concerns, you should also speak with a legal expert.
Speak with OSHA: You can submit a formal complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the federal agency that regulates worker safety and health in the oil and gas industry, if your employer does not resolve the violation or if you fear reprisal. This can be completed via mail, fax, phone, or the internet. You have the option to stay anonymous as well. If necessary, OSHA will look into your complaint and take the proper enforcement action.
How much time does OSHA need to look at a complaint?
A number of variables, including the kind and gravity of the infraction, the resources available, and the complaint’s priority level, affect how long it takes OSHA to look into a complaint. OSHA states that there are two primary ways to address complaints: an investigation by phone or fax or an on-site inspection.
When the complaint satisfies at least one of the eight requirements outlined by OSHA—such as a claim of impending risk, bodily injury, or insufficient employer response—an on-site inspection is carried out.
The top priority for inspections by OSHA is immediate danger, then planned or targeted inspections, employee complaints, and fatalities or catastrophes.
According to OSHA, the inspection will take place as soon as resources allow and will typically begin five working days after the employer reports the occurrence.
If any of the eight requirements for an on-site inspection are not met by the complaint, or if the employee or employee representative requests this option, a phone or fax investigation is carried out.
OSHA calls the employer, outlines the purported risks, and then sends a fax or letter as a follow-up. Within five days, the employer must reply, including in writing any issues discovered and any planned or completed corrective action. OSHA usually won’t carry out an inspection if the response is sufficient. A copy of the employer’s response will be given to the employee who initially lodged the complaint.
Thus, depending on the intricacy and urgency of the matter, an OSHA investigation may take a few days to many weeks or months. If employees do not hear from OSHA or their employer within a reasonable amount of time, OSHA urges them to get in touch with the OSHA Area Office.
How Oilfield Service Insurance for Accidents
Oilfield service insurance covers businesses that provide services to the oil and gas industry. It can assist in shielding people from the dangers and legal ramifications that come with operating in dangerous conditions, including explosions, fires, spills, injuries, and legal actions.
Various types of oilfield service insurance exist, contingent upon the particular requirements and operations of the enterprise. Among the typical coverages are the following:
Insurance against bodily harm and property damage made by third parties, including clients, vendors, and property owners, is known as general liability insurance. It may also pay for some claims relating to pollution, like penalties or cleanup expenses.
Insurance for workers’ compensation: This pays for medical costs and missed income in the event that an employee is killed or injured at work. In the event that the worker or their family files a lawsuit against the company, it may also pay settlements and legal costs.
Inland marine insurance covers goods and equipment kept or transported on land, such as rigs, tools, pipes, tanks, or cars. It can compensate for losses or damages brought on by theft, vandalism, accidents, or natural catastrophes.
Equipment and supplies, such as barges, boats, platforms, and pipelines, that are moved or stored on water are covered by ocean marine insurance. It can include losses or damages brought on by weather-related disasters, piracy, collisions, or accidents.
Well insurance that covers the costs of plugging a blowout, repairing damage to a damaged well, or drilling a relief well are all considered forms of control of the well. Liability for pollution as well as harm to the well and its surroundings may also be covered.
Businesses in the oil and gas sector can benefit from oilfield service insurance by shielding their operations and assets from possible liabilities and losses. Additionally, it can assist them in adhering to government and industry standards and laws.
FAQs About Oilfield Accidents
how much does automation decrease accidents in the oilfield?
Identifying and averting equipment malfunctions that may result in explosions, fires, and blowouts.
how oilfield service is affected by accidents?
Loss of money and reputation: Mishaps can interfere with an oilfield service company’s ability to fulfill its contracts, which lowers revenue and lowers customer satisfaction.
how accidents affect oilfield service?
hazards to safety and health: Oilfield service employees are susceptible to burns, fractures, amputations, respiratory issues, and other injuries. As a result, accidents can present significant hazards to their safety and health.
how oilfield service insurance for accidents?
Insurance against bodily harm and property damage made by third parties, including clients, vendors, and property owners, is known as general liability insurance.
how does oilfield service handle employee accidents?
Notify the proper authorities—such as OSHA, state agencies, or local emergency services—about the accident. In addition, they must inform the worker’s family, the client, and the insurance provider.