Oil & Gas Worker Fatality Rate Seven Times Higher than Other Industries

Oil & Gas Worker Fatality Rate Seven Times Higher than Other Industries

According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), the fatality rate for United States oil and gas extraction workers, both onshore and offshore, has in recent years averaged more than seven times higher than the rate for other workers.

What are some of the most common causes of these horrific injuries?

Transportation Incidents. As with other industries, a high proportion of worker fatalities in the oil and gas industry were transportation incidents involving trucks and other motor vehicles.

Contact with Objects/Equipment. Injuries like those involving coming into contact with heavy equipment, moving objects, and materials lifted overhead contribute to the second leading cause of oil and gas fatalities.

Fires and Explosions. Fires and explosions, all too common on the Gulf Coast in recent years, are another leading cause of oil and gas worker fatalities. Releases of flammable vapors that find an ignition source pose an extreme hazard to workers.

Exposure to Harmful Substances/Environments. Exposure to toxic chemicals like asbestos and benzene and the challenges associated with working in enclosed environments like tanks and containers also are significant contributors toward oil and gas worker injuries.

Workers for well servicing companies, drilling contractors, and oil and gas operators made up high statistical portions of significant injuries.

For over seventy years, the attorneys at Abraham Watkins have been on the forefront of assisting oil and gas workers and their families.

If you or someone you love was injured in an industrial accident or refinery explosion, contact an attorney at the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-396-4884 or toll free at 1-800-594-4884 for a personal injury consultation.