A Colorado County has approved efforts to study air emissions for natural gas drilling. This study, once completed, could help to limit the number of those suffering a workplace injury at drilling sites. The study will research 24 different projects that include fracking, drilling and overworking.
In Colorado, many businesses are related to drilling and natural gas. The workers for these companies are, in some cases, exposed to what may be high levels of potentially dangerous air emissions. How high and how dangerous are just a few of the aims of the new academic study to be conducted.
Though no workplace injury has been recently reported as a result of air emissions, the drilling of natural gas could expose some to such dangers. The study to be conducted with the intent to learn more about what people in Colorado are exposed to will be funded in part by Garfield County Oil and Gas Mitigation Fund. Researchers will include scientists from agencies such as OSHA and EPA.
When individuals suffer workplace injuries such as those that could be caused by dangerous emissions, they may seek the help of the workers’ compensation program. The insurance program is intended to assist workers who have suffered injuries or illness on the job with their economic costs while they recover. In some cases, the benefits can continue for extended periods or even paid to survivors of those that killed on the job. This new study will hopefully help some avoid workplace injury as they go about their jobs in Colorado’s oil and gas industry, but those suffering injury can rest assured that workers’ compensation benefits may provide an invaluable support system in the event of an accident at work.
Source: kjct8.com, “New agreement will test air emissions from drilling in GarCo,” Janelle Ericsson, Oct. 31, 2012