Confined Spaces
Petroleum storage tanks, mud pits, reserve pits, and sand storage containers put workers at risk due to the hazardous chemicals and flammable gases contained within. To prevent accidents such as entrapment, asphyxiation, or the ignition of flammable vapors from occurring, confined spaces must be classified as permit-required confined spaces and tested before entering. Gas detection monitors allow workers to detect gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide, alerting them when levels become dangerous.
Electrical and other Hazardous Energy
Uncontrolled electrical or hazardous energy can harm workers if machine equipment is not operated and maintained correctly. Both operational and lockout/tagout procedures should be followed at all times. Wearing the proper head protection and arc flash, or flame-resistant clothing can significantly reduce the likelihood of employee injury if an accident should occur.
Explosions and Fires
Worksites run the risk of fire and explosions due to high levels of flammable vapors or gases released from wells, trucks, and production or surface equipment such as tanks and shale shakers. Flammable gases combined with potential ignition sources such as static, electrical energy sources, open flames, lightning, or cigarettes, can be a recipe for disaster. Utilizing proper engineering and administrative controls, in addition to employee PPE, can make the difference between a life or death situation. Flame resistant clothing and helmets should be worn along with safety glasses or goggles to protect workers from flying debris.
Falls from Height
Elevated platforms and equipment located high above the ground and slippery rig floors can expose workers to falls. Installing guardrails, securing stairwells, enforcing slip-resistant footwear, and providing personal fall arrest systems can prevent falls from being fatal. Before beginning work, each employee should be briefed on potential fall hazards in their area.
Struck-By/ Caught-In/ Caught-Between Incidents
Three of every five on-site fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry are the result of struck-by/caught-in/caught-between hazards. Moving vehicles, falling equipment, and high-pressure lines can quickly become fatal if the proper procedures aren’t in place. Implementing a dropped objects program on your worksite and requiring workers to wear hi-vis apparel can significantly reduce the risk of injuries.
Vehicle Collisions
Four out of every ten workers killed on the job in the upstream sector are killed due to highway vehicle incidents, making vehicle collisions the number one cause of worker fatalities. Wells and rigs, often located in remote areas, require workers to travel long distances. To prevent unnecessary accidents, employers should encourage employees to wear seat belts and take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue.
While these hazards are reported the most frequently, oil and gas workers are also exposed to many other dangers such as heat stress, hearing loss, hand injuries, and hazardous chemicals.
Regulations
Recognizing and controlling hazards is essential in preventing injuries and deaths in the oil and gas industry. To prevent worker injuries and remain compliant, workplace safety programs must be structured according to OSHA regulations and guidelines. A successful program should encompass the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as training on operational procedures and risks employees might encounter in the workplace.
OSHA 1910.22 - Walking-Working Surfaces All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.
OSHA 1910.28 - Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection. This section requires employers to provide protection for each employee exposed to fall and falling object hazards.
OSHA 1910.119 - Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals.This section contains requirements for preventing or minimizing the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals. These releases may result in toxic, fire or explosion hazards.
OSHA 1910.146 - Permit-required confined spaces. This section contains requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees in general industry from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces.
OSHA 1910.147 - The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout). This standard covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees.
OSHA 1910.1053 - Respirable crystalline silica. This section applies to all occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica, except construction and agricultural operations.
OSHA 1926.153 - Liquefied petroleum gas (LP-Gas). Approval of equipment and systems.
