The oil industry in Texas is a huge industry that employs nearly 14 percent of all workers in the state. Employees in the industry are well compensated because the jobs carry a high degree of risk. Unfortunately, catastrophic injuries and fatalities are part of the work environment in the oil industry, and they are largely under-reported.
Oil companies have armies of lawyers on their side. When oil rig employees suffer serious on the job accidents, it’s crucial they partner with skilled oil rig injury attorneys who can represent their interests. While oil rig employers should do everything in their power to provide the safest work environment possible for their employees, they often tend to cut corners to save money and unsuspecting workers suffer the consequences.
Here are some of the most common accidents oil rig injury attorneys see from their clients.
Rig Explosions
Oil rig workers deal with one of the most flammable natural substances known to man. While there are multiple federal and state regulations to enhance safety, violations are unfortunately commonplace. Extracting oil is one of the most dangerous occupations.
Workers are dealing with flammable substances and dangerous heavy equipment. Safety violations and unmaintained equipment often lead to tragic and sometimes deadly explosions in the field. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a catastrophic explosion while working on an oil rig, partner with experienced oil rig injury attorneys who can fight for your rights.
Machinery Malfunctions
Oil fields require and utilize multiple pieces of heavy machinery to extract oil. Regular maintenance and repairs often require that machinery be temporarily taken out of commission. Many times, oil companies hesitate to decommission machinery for maintenance because it reduces production and profits.
When heavy equipment finally is permanently decommissioned, it is often left in the oil field even though it is not being used. Improperly secured and defective machinery presents a clear and present danger to oil workers in the field. Many times, the equipment will unexpectedly topple over crushing unsuspecting workers.
Fatigue And Other Safety Violations
Lack of sleep and grueling work hours due to labor shortages can lead to employee fatigue and reduced cognitive function. This raises the risk of catastrophic injuries substantially. Like large truck drivers, oil rig workers are restricted to working a certain number of hours for safety reasons. When those policies are overlooked, it puts oil rig workers in grave danger.
A lack of training and improper safety equipment also present dangerous hazards to oil rig workers. Oil rigs are dangerous work environments, and the proper safety training is essential. OSHA approved safety gear is also crucial for oil rig workers. They need to have the proper safety equipment and be well trained on the best way to use it. When that doesn’t happen, they are at high risk of catastrophic injury.
Call An Oil Rig Injury Attorney Today
The oil industry is a dangerous industry to work in. While it is a necessity that makes life easier, certain precautions must be taken to ensure employee safety. When those precautions are ignored and catastrophic injuries or fatalities occur, it’s crucial to partner with experienced oil rig injury attorneys who can fight for your rights. Oil rig injuries are often under reported and swept under the rug, don’t let that happen to you. Strong oil rig injury attorneys will help you hold the responsible parties accountable and get you the compensation you need to move forward
