Preventing Oilfield Injuries

It is no secret that oil and gas is a dangerous industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 4,000 of the industry’s employees were injured on the job in 2007. In 2008, the most worker fatalities in the industry were in Texas. This includes the Eagle Ford Shale and the San Antonio and Laredo areas. Many of these accidents and injuries could be prevented.

Prevention Tips

Employers should take safety seriously and proactively take steps to make sure the work environment is as danger-free as possible. This helps prevent oil field accidents from occurring. Some helpful accident prevention tips include:

• Be sure to put away all tools, debris, and other items after using them. This prevents them from causing nearby workers to slip or fall.
• Abide by all workplace procedures and protocols.
• Always wear a self-contained respirator in areas when chemical levels are high.
• Always wear recommended protective equipment, including eye masks, helmets, boots, and gloves.
• Report any incidents to your employer immediately. This helps prevent other workers from being hurt in the same manner.
• Never operate machinery or equipment that you aren’t trained for. Ask for help if you need it.
• Regularly inspect the workplace, as well as any contained machinery and equipment, to ensure it’s in working order and being properly maintained.
• Ensure all colleagues and coworkers are properly trained.

While these tips make the oil field workplace safer, it is important for workers and employers to create their own safety policies and protocols to address their on-site hazards and dangers. Whether these steps are taken, if you are injured in the Eagle Ford Shale or San Antonio and Laredo area, call the Oil Field Injury Lawyers at Carabin Shaw Law Firm to discuss your rights.

OSHA’s Part

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has many safety guidelines designed for the oil and gas industry alone. These include standards for field exploration, platforms, wells, walking surfaces, building maintenance, machinery, fire protection, hazardous materials, and a variety of other issues and concerns that only apply to the oil and gas industry.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in the Eagle Ford Shale or anywhere else in the state, call our San Antonio Oil Field Injury Lawyers at Carabin Shaw Law Firm. Our dedicated team of lawyers know the rules and regulations that Oil Field employers and workers must follow. Call us at 210-222-2288, day or night, for more information.

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