The Permian Basin oil industry can be a dangerous place. Work injuries are not uncommon, and often workers’ compensation claims or third-party claims are necessary to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more. However, employers can reduce the chance of serious injuries with proper safety training.
If you do sustain oil field injuries, contact the attorneys at Kemmy Law Firm. With over 50 years of experience and millions recovered, we will guide you through a claim and help you get your life back on track.
With offices in San Antonio, Midland-Odessa, and Hobbs, NM, we serve the entire Permian Basin region. Let us listen to your story and give you a realistic assessment. Call (830) 264-6297 today. There’s no risk in calling because we offer free initial consults, and are only paid when you recover compensation
Safety Hazards & Dangerous Conditions in Oil and Gas Fields
The oil and gas industry requires working with chemicals in often dangerous locations. This creates various hazards.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), some of the most dangerous situations for oil and gas workers include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Struck-by/caught-in/caught-between objects
- Explosions and fires
- Falls
- Confined spaces
- Chemical exposures
- Ergonomic hazards
- High pressure lines and equipment
- Electrical and other hazardous energy
- Machine hazards
- Planning and prevention
OSHA and many employers in the Permian Basin oil and gas industry require training for employees in these areas.
OSHA Safety Training for Oil and Gas Workers
Because OSHA works to prevent dangerous situations in the oil and gas industry, they also publish many training pages and safety information kits for employers to provide for their employees. Some of those include:
- Work Zone Traffic Safety – Publication 3267 is a quick reference card that covers traffic safety in brief and how oil field workers can remain safe while in motor vehicles in work zones.
- Work-Related Roadway Crashes – Publication 2004-136 is geared at giving employers prevention strategies that they can then pass on to their employees. The information includes statistics on work-related crashes as well as how to prevent them.
- Struck-By – This is OSHA’s Hardwood Grant Training Materials that cover struck-by hazards in the oil and gas industry.
- Guidelines on the Stability of Well Servicing Derricks – OSHA Directive STD 03-12-003 offers information for the servicing of oil derricks and how to promote safety on them in the field.
- Oil Well Derrick Stability: Guywire Anchor Systems – OSHA Technical Manual (OTM), TED 01-00-015 addresses the dangers of guywires on oil well derricks and how to prevent harm.
- Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety – This is a topics page on the OSHA website that addresses general safety with cranes, derricks, and hoists.
OSHA Standards That Promote Safety in Oil Fields
In addition to the training offered by OSHA, the agency publishes standards that require employers to properly train employees in specific areas. Some of these safety topics include:
- Eye and face protection (1910.133)
- Head protection (1910.135)
- Foot protection (1910.136)
- Hand protection (1910.138)
- Handling materials in general (1910.176)
- General requirements for all machines (1910.212)
Who Is Responsible If I Am Injured at Work?
If you are injured while on the job, in an oil and gas field, it could be your employer’s fault if they were negligent in providing proper training.
In most work injury situations, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. However, if they failed to meet OSHA guidelines or you’re in a state like Texas that does not require workers’ comp coverage, then you may have additional options, like a third party claim.
OSHA also imposes fines on employers who fail to provide proper training and safety equipment.
Call Kemmy Law Firm Today if You Are Injured
The personal injury attorneys at Kemmy Law Firm serve victims and their families throughout the Permian Basin. With over 50 years of combined legal experience and millions recovered for our clients, let us handle every part of your work injury claim and get what you are entitled to under the law.
Contact us online or call (830) 264-6297. Initial consultations are free and you owe nothing unless you recover compensation.
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