According to a recent study, oil and gas extraction companies should strengthen safety procedures, integrate contract workers in site safety management plans, and enhance training on job and equipment hazards.
OSHA data from January 2015 to July 2022 was examined by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to identify serious patterns in the oil and gas extraction sector. Over 82,000 severe work-related injuries—those that required an eye or amputation—were reported to OSHA during the course of the research. Of these, almost 2,100 (2.6%) worked in the oil and gas extraction sector; employees supporting oil and gas operations incurred more than 70% of these costs. Drillers of oil and gas wells were responsible for 23% of the 2,100 injuries.
Out of all the serious injuries reported, well servicing contract workers accounted for 57% and 20%, respectively, of hospitalizations (1,194) and amputations (417). Upper extremities accounted for nearly 900 (43%) of the severe injuries recorded by the industry.
The researchers advise oil and gas production companies to have daily site safety briefings and to supply personnel with the proper personal protective equipment.
The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report carried an online publication of the study.