Less Common Types of Oil Field Injuries

By Ryan Y. Cunningham | March 3, 2020

Oil field accidents can occur for many reasons. Some of the more common types that are often deadly, or cause permanent injuries include oil rig explosions, rigs that collapse, well blowouts, and drilling injuries. Sometimes the causes of the accidents are fairly obvious such as violations of OSHA safety rules and violations common oil-field industry safety protocols. Other types of accidents are less common but can be determined through a complete investigation, requests for documentation, and discovery of witnesses.

In most oil-field accident cases, there is no need to prove fault because the employee will file a workers’ compensation claim which does not require proof of fault. Independent contractors, however, do need to prove fault through a personal injury claim. Employees may also have the right to file product liability claims against manufacturers and sellers of defective oil-field machinery and equipment.

Other types of oil field-related injuries

Every worksite should make worker safety a priority. In addition to inspecting the worksites and the equipment and following standard operating procedures, the workers should be trained on safety. Training includes understanding the dangers they face and the steps take to reduce the risk of exposure to those dangers. Training also includes understanding how to use the equipment and tools of their trade.

Some of the less common types of oil field-related injuries than can include:

  • Contact injuries. Coming into contact with heavy equipment, such as cranes and drills, can lead to crushing injuries, burns, shocks or electrocution. These injuries can occur even if the contact is quick, or a part is moving slowly.
  • Being stuck or trapped. Workers can easily get stuck or trapped as equipment and vehicles constantly move about the work site. Many employees and contractors who work in oil and gas work in or near storage tanks, various types of pits, sand storage units, and other small spaces. Being confined in small areas can increase the risk of falls and increase the likelihood of exposure to dangerous chemicals.
  • Repetitive stress injuries. Many workers perform the same tasks day in and day out, which can lead to wear and tear. Oilfield workers suffer lifting, bending, pulling, and pushing injuries if the oilfield site was equipped with better equipment and there were better strategies for how to do the work, some of these injuries could be avoided.

Workers who are injured on the job should be seen by any medical personnel on staff, by EMTS, and should be taken to the nearest emergency room after any type of workplace injury occurs.

Oilfield work is the heart and soul of Oklahoma. Our economy depends on the production of energy for the state and the country. Injured workers do have the right to expect that site owners and supervisors will work to reduce the risk of harm. When oilfield injuries or deaths do occur, our experienced Oklahoma City oilfield lawyers understand how and why accidents happen. We file workers’ compensation claims regardless of fault and personal injury or product liability claims when permitted.  Please call 405.212.9234 or complete our contact form to arrange a consultation with a strong caring attorney.

 

Posted in Oil Field Accidents