There are certain types of professions that are inherently more dangerous than others. Companies that operate in the oil field industry may find that taking steps to address and mitigate safety risks could be essential to promoting a safe job site environment, but can you always expect things to go as planned?
If you work in this industry, you might not be fully aware of every type of danger you might face while on a Texas job site. If your employer fails to take every possible step to keep you safe as you perform job tasks, the results could be devastating, as oil field accidents could carry severe or life-altering health ramifications.
Prevalent safety hazards
While there are numerous types of incidents that remain a prevalent concern in the oil field industry, many of these may be avoidable if the proper precautions are in place. Some common types of oil field accidents may include:
- Machine-related incidents: Struck-by and caught-between accidents remain a common concern in this field. Incidents involving heavy-duty equipment could lead to severe injuries, such as crushing injuries and bone fractures.
- Machine malfunction: Failure to perform frequent maintenance on heavy-duty machines, such as drilling rigs and cranes, can increase the chances of machine malfunction, and such issues can create a multitude of safety hazards.
- Falls from heights: Lack of fall prevention measures with rig lifts and hoisting mechanisms can lead to a greater risk of falls from heights. Even a fall from a short distance could wreak havoc on your health and well-being.
- Exposure to gases/chemicals: Operating near hazardous gases and chemicals can also prove dangerous. Lack of protective measures in this regard could increase your risk of exposure, and similar issues could prompt dire health repercussions.
The substances stored in oil tanks and shale shakers can be highly flammable in nature, and incidents such as explosions and fires are also a leading cause of injury and death in this industry.
What next?
While suffering severe injuries in a work-related incident can be harrowing under any situation, the fallout may be even more challenging to accept if it was preventable in nature. If the incident takes place due to the negligent actions of the company or a third party, you may have questions about the best course of action to take to protect your future interests.
Since this can be a complex process to navigate alone, it might be beneficial to seek advice in addressing your options. Such guidance could help you better prepare to protect your financial future during the workers’ compensation insurance claims process and help you determine if you may be entitled to pursue restitution through any other means.