6 Accidents That Can Happen at Oil Rigs


Oil rigs, onshore and offshore, are some of the most hazardous workplaces on Earth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that workers at oil rigs have a higher risk of injuries than workers in any other industry. Here are some of the common hazards that make oil rigs incredibly dangerous.


Fire

There is a high likelihood of fires and explosions occurring at oil rigs due to flammable gases and vapours. The rig machinery—trucks, wells, production, and drilling equipment, can release these gases. The oil itself is highly flammable, and contact with other chemicals or ignition sources (frictional heat, open flames, cigarettes, etc.) can lead to an outbreak of deadly fires.

Falls

Oil rigs have towers and platforms of varying heights with workers working on elevated platforms as high as 9 metres. Derrick hands are most at risk of falls as they work on platforms even higher.

The platforms have open edges offering no protection in case of an accident. This increases the chances of falls, which can prove fatal. According to the CDC, fatalities from falls increased in 2003-2013, while all other causes of death on rigs declined.


Falling Tools

Employees are also at considerable risk of injury from tools falling from higher platforms. Three of the five on-site fatalities are caused by caught-in or struck-by hazards. These include moving vehicles or equipment, falling tools, etc.  

Proper handling of tools can ward off these risks significantly. Employees are also required to wear hard hats and avoid standing under suspended platforms and heavy loads. These safety measures can reduce injuries and deaths from falling tools.

Heavy Machinery

Oil rigs are dominated by heavy machinery. The drill, spinning machinery, cranes, and forklifts are commonplace and can be dangerous for the workers. The very weight of the machines and the loads they carry pose significant threats.

Additionally, the machines are incredibly loud and noisy, making it harder for people to communicate or warn their colleagues of danger. Moving machinery contributes to some of the deadliest injuries at these rigs.

Fatigue

Oil rig workers have strenuous jobs and work up to 12-hour days for 7-14 days consecutively. The demanding jobs often lead to fatigue and exhaustion, which contributes to accidents on the job.

When the workers are tired, their response times slow down. In the case of an accident or an emergency, they cannot react reflectively and quickly, making injuries and fatalities common.

Not only on the oil rig, but fatigue can also get these workers into accidents off the oil rig. There are highway accident reports of overworked oil rig workers who fall asleep on the wheel while driving home and encounter motor vehicle accidents.

The increased use of safety equipment and technology has led to a decrease in deadly accidents and made oil rigs relatively safer. Contact instruments Ltd. is dedicated to oil rig workers' safety and supplies high-tech drilling rig instrumentation and weight indicator systems to companies worldwide. Connect with them for superior, modified solutions for better safety at your drilling sites. 

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