Page 42 - Occupational Health & Safety, January/February 2020

OIL & GAS
Avoid Fatalities and Injuries in the Oil and Gas Industry
The fatality rate for oil and gas workers is seven times higher than other industries, according to the CDC.
BY KAREN HAMEL
From a distance, it’s easy to see that oil and gas sites look different than most general in- dustry sites. But even though the work being done at oil and gas sites is very labor inten-
sive and presents multiple hazards, the risks that these employees face each day are not unique.
The top causes of fatalities in the oil and gas in- dustry are similar to those found in general industry. However, the fatality rate for oil and gas workers is seven times higher than other industries, according to the CDC. Recognizing the top hazards causing fatali- ties and injuries is the first step in developing plans, procedures and training that prevent these incidents.
Transportation
Like general industry, highway incidents are the top cause of oil and gas employee fatalities. In the oil and gas industry, transportation-related incidents cause four out of every 10 fatalities. Long and irregular work hours, driving on secondary and unpaved roads and traveling in inclement weather conditions are main contributors to these incidents.
Establishing and enforcing a driver safety policy helps employees to recognize driving hazards such as in-vehicle distractions, driver fatigue and dete- riorating weather and road conditions. Ensuring that company-owned vehicles are appropriate and prop- erly maintained, requiring seat belts to be worn while traveling and checking employee driving records periodically also help to reduce occurrences.
Contact Injuries
The ever-changing nature of oil and gas worksites re-
quires everyone on site to be constantly aware of their surroundings. Moving vehicles, heavy equipment, high-pressure hoses and lines, overhead cranes and cables all contribute to the second leading cause of fa- talities at oil and gas sites: contact injuries.
Three out of five on-site fatalities are caused by struck-by, caught-in or caught-between hazards. En- gineering controls such as alarms on vehicles, whip- checks on high pressure hose lines, and physical bar- riers around storage areas help to promote awareness. Signage and temporary barriers can also be used to increase visibility of new or changing hazards and help to reinforce what has been taught at trainings and during toolbox talks.
Fires and Explosions
Open flames, idling engines, site lighting and hot work are a few of the fire and ignition hazards that may be easy to spot at oil and gas sites. Other hazards such as flammable vapors and hydrogen sulfide can be easy to smell. But those aren’t the only fire and explo- sion hazards at oil and gas sites. Static electricity and changing weather conditions don’t have a smell; they can be harder to predict, but they can also contribute to fires and explosion risks.
Flammable vapors can be released from wellbores, holding tanks, shale shakers, production equipment, generators and vehicles. The higher the prevalence of these vapors, the higher the likelihood that an ignition source such as static, lightning, tools, hot surfaces or frictional heat can be enough to spark an explosion or start a fire.
Monitoring weather conditions, including tem- perature, lightning, wind and humidity is one line of defense. Monitoring oxygen levels and flammable lower explosive limits throughout the site, and install- ing shutdown systems, intake flame arrestors and ex- haust spark arrests on equipment and machinery at the site can also provide a warning that conditions are approaching unsafe levels and protection from com- mon ignition courses. These engineering and admin- istrative controls coupled with appropriate PPE for everyone onsite work in tandem to help prevent fires and explosions.
Harmful Environments
In addition to chemical hazards, oil and gas employees face different types of physical hazards. Because many sites are outdoors and in large, open areas, confined spaces are a physical hazard, and one type of harmful
38 Occupational Health & Safety | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
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