Working in an oil field is not your typical nine-to-five. It’s a tough job where employees work in dangerous conditions.
The potential hazards of the job make these workers more prone to accidents, injuries, or death. Oil field accidents and explosions can lead to serious injuries or death for workers.
There are a variety of ways these accidents occur. Understanding the cause is critical for determining who’s responsible.
Inexperienced Workers
Due to the dangerous nature of the job, workers need specific skills and training to work in the oil field or on an oil rig.
Unfortunately, some oil companies and drillers hire inexperienced workers who may not be prepared for the intensity of the work.
Inexperienced workers may not understand the safety regulations, protocols, or procedures to keep themselves and others safe. Operating machinery, equipment, and other tools in an oil field is dangerous work.
A company can be held liable for failing to employ skilled workers or train them properly, as this can put their workers’ lives at stake and lead to disastrous consequences.
Employee Fatigue
Oil fields run 24 hours a day, and the work can be tiring. The work often involves long days in trying conditions. It’s not unusual for workers to spend 12 hours or more on the job each day.
Overworked and exhausted employees can be prone to mistakes. When there’s no room for mistakes, one wrong move can lead to an accident or explosion that puts their own and others’ lives at risk.
Slips and Falls
It only takes a minor slip or fall to dislocate a shoulder or break a leg. If you’re injured on the job, you may be unable to work or out of work for a long time.
Neither of these scenarios is a good option when you need to earn a paycheck. If you’ve been injured in an oil field accident, contact an injury lawyer.
They can help people who’ve suffered a slip or fall on the job get back on their feet and fight for the compensation they deserve.
Inadequate Safety Procedures
A common cause of oil field accidents is inadequate safety procedures. In some cases, a company may fail to implement safety procedures, educate employees about them, or take action when an employee fails to follow procedures.
Either way, the company can be held liable for the injuries their workers sustain on the job.
Defective Oil Field Equipment
Although the oil industry has taken steps to reduce injuries and fatalities, the industry is still a dangerous one. In these settings, heavy machinery, equipment, and tools are used for excavating and drilling.
Equipment failures can lead to fires, blowouts, explosions, electrocutions, and other catastrophic accidents. Sometimes companies cut corners and fail to make needed repairs or replace outdated or malfunctioning equipment.
In these cases, the company can be held liable for the injuries their workers sustain.
Struck-By and Crushing Accidents
Struck-by, caught-between, and crushing accidents are common causes of oil field accidents. Oil field equipment contains tight pockets where workers can suffer a pressing or crushing accident.
A negligent driver can back up and pin or strike a worker. Falling tools or pipes can strike employees on the ground.
Moving pumps, belts, wellheads, hoist blocks, conveyors, and more can lead to crush injuries. These devastating oil field injuries can result in fractures, traumatic brain injuries, amputation, permanent nerve injury, and much more.
For these reasons, it’s essential that companies follow OSHA safety requirements for striking and crushing accident prevention. These oil field safety regulations include:
- Hard hats and head protection
- Machine Guarding
- Hand and foot protection
- Operating industrial trucks, cranes, and crawlers
- Face and eye protection
- Handling movable materials
- Slings
Following safety guidelines can help prevent workplace accidents and protect workers from serious injuries. Unfortunately, many oil field injuries occur when companies fail to follow safety protocols to keep their workers safe.
A personal injury attorney can help injured oil and gas workers get the maximum compensation they deserve when these preventable injuries occur.
Negligence of Shutdown Procedures
When there’s a serious issue such as equipment failure or unsafe operating conditions, it’s critical for supervisors to abide by industry regulations. If a company should shut down operations but fails to follow protocols, disaster can strike.
Shutdown procedures are in place to keep employees safe. When a company neglects to shut down, they are putting their employees’ lives on the line.
The company can be held liable for any injuries or deaths that occur due to their negligence.
Common Oil Field Injuries
There are many types of injuries that occur on oil field work sites. These injuries vary depending on the type of accident and degree of injury.
Some common oil field injuries include:
- Fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Crushed or severed limbs
- Paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Coma
- Death
Determining Who’s at Fault for Oil Field Accidents
If you’ve suffered an oil field accident injury, you may be entitled to compensation for all you’ve endured. To receive appropriate compensation, your oil field accident attorney must prove that another party’s negligence was the cause of your injuries.
Various parties could be held responsible for an oil field accident or oil field explosion, including employers and equipment manufacturers. Companies that fail to enforce safety regulations, fail to provide employees with proper training and equipment, or fail to store combustible materials safely can be held liable.
Equipment manufacturers can be held liable if they provide defective equipment that causes injury or death.
Find the Right Attorney for You
Injured oil field workers may be entitled to damages if injured on the job. Oil field accidents are common and can result in devastating injuries or death.
If you or a loved one suffered an oil field accident and you’re not sure which way to turn, your next best step is to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer.
At Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello, we know how challenging these types of accidents can be. Our experienced Louisiana attorneys will work diligently to help you get the maximum recovery in your case.
Schedule your free consultation today.