Posted on: 12. 22. 22
The oil and gas industry involves working daily with potentially dangerous materials and heavy-duty machinery like gas coolers and drills. It’s no surprise that a job in our industry means working in one of the most hazardous industries in the world.
Workers are exposed to a range of potential workplace hazards that can result in serious injuries. As we start a new year, many people will be looking for a new employment venture, and will excitedly turn to oil & gas.
While the team at Pro-Gas Services is always happy to see our industry flourish, we are also here to help ensure safety throughout our industry.
Here’s a closer look at a few of the most common injuries found in oil & gas and what managers and employees can do to help mitigate them in the new year.
Location is Always a Factor
Although local facilities allow workers to flourish at their jobs in their own communities, working on an important location like an oil rig comes with significant risks due to the location and isolation circumstances involved in any position.
Often oil rigs are extremely remote locations, and as of 2021, at least 201 of the oil rig locations are found on open water.
So, while we’re here to discuss specific injuries, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include the risk of harsh weather conditions, being so far removed from nearby medical professionals, and the increased risk of mental health issues due to being away from family and regular society for long shifts at a time.
Burns
Between the use of hot, complex machinery and the hot conditions and pressure oil and gas are placed under during processing, oil & gas employees are at risk of burn injuries from several angles.
Some of the most common causes of burn injuries in our industry come from flames expelled from equipment (i.e. torches), hot liquids like oils and chemicals, accidental explosions, and electrocution from misuse of equipment.
Many of these burn injuries are avoidable situations that site managers can mitigate through proper and continuous training for the equipment on site.
Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Oil rigs are complex worksites that can easily lead to serious slip-and-fall injuries. Most of these sites are multi-level locations that, combined with break-neck speed activity, potential weather conditions, and equipment misuse, can lead to slip-and-fall injuries that can put employees out of commission or lead to disasters like death or severe, permanent injuries like paralysis.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Heavy lifting and repetitive motions from working in oil & gas can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.
Musculoskeletal injuries can progress over time if they are not treated properly and can impact the body in several ways. Some common symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries that can linger and impact lives include pain and stiffness throughout joints and muscles, swelling, inflammation, weakened muscles, and limited range of motion.
Vehicular Accidents
Oil & gas sites are expansive locations where several company vehicles are bustling around to help employees complete daily tasks. Sometimes the rush that occurs during transportation can lead to collisions that result in serious personal injury and death.
Chemical Exposure
Oil and gas are chemicals that contain harmful substances that can impact the body’s respiratory system if inhaled.
Improper protection and ventilation can easily lead to developing asthma, coughing, eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, fatigue, and trouble sleeping.
Stay Safer Today, With Help from Pro-Gas Services, LLC
While preventative measures are taken to minimize these risks, workers and employers alike need to be aware of all potential hazards in this demanding environment, so proper protocols can be implemented to ensure safety. At Pro-Gas Services, we are committed to helping our clients understand how to properly and effectively use our equipment to each site.
If you’re a facility manager and are ready to work with the best cooling, storage, and fuel conditioning equipment in the industry, contact us today to learn more about our services and available products.
