• 17
  • February
    2012

Oil and gas drilling has been a booming business in Texas, especially around the Eagle Ford shale region which has been found to have rich mineral deposits. Unfortunately, this increase in business has also resulted in more injuries and fatalities of workers on the rigs and in the fields.

According to the Department of Labor, in 2010 45 workers lost their lives as a result of oil and gas drilling accidents in Texas. This is up from 35 in 2003. Last year on the Eagle Ford shale there were seven deaths, up from three the previous year.

Based on Department of Labor data, one of the more frequent causes of death is workers being "struck by" objects while working. Examples might include machinery coming loose and striking workers, or large pieces of metal flying at workers as a result of high pressure.

Nationally, between 2003 and 2008, the fatality rate for workers involved in gas and oil extraction was eight times more than the average of other jobs, according to government records.

The National Occupation Research Agenda (NORA) studied the issue to determine the causes of the high death rate and prevention methods. The organization pointed to a number of issues including long shifts, working in extreme temperatures, older rigs without safety features, rigs in remote locations with dangerous unpaved roads, and inexperienced workers who had been hired to meet high demand.

Smaller well service and drilling companies were found to have increased rates of fatal injuries. This is perhaps due to smaller companies having fewer resources for health and safety programs.

A project called the STEPS Network (South Texas Exploration and Production Safety) has been developed in an attempt to change a culture which sometimes overlooks safety in the rush for oil and gas.

The program requires both large and small drilling companies to meet with OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) monthly and work with the agency as a partner. There have been reports of the program's success. For instance, crews declining to take short cuts feeling assured that management will back them.

Source: StateImpact Texas, Drilling's Dangers: What Might Reduce Worker Deaths, Dave Fehling, 6 February 2012