Certain oil and gas companies have offices and drill sites located in Colorado with employee residents and out of state professionals alike. According to federal labor statistics, this industry has the highest number of fatalities caused from being injured at work in explosions and fires than any other privately held industry. Although less than 1 percent of America’s workforce is employed in this industry, it is responsible for 10 percent of all deaths caused by being injured at work.
Workers can be catapulted into the air and killed when an explosion takes place. The risk of injuring surrounding residents with heavy or burning debris is also apparent. The common practice of using a blow torch to tanks in freezing weather can have fatal consequences. A report released by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board found that storage tank explosions that took place at tank sites have killed dozens of workers and innocent bystanders.
When an employer does not properly review or enforce safety measures in the oil and gas industry, workers can be seriously harmed or killed. The spark emanating from a flashlight or improper drilling technique can make the difference in the survival of those on site. When an injured worker does survive a serious explosion or burn, they can face lengthy recovery time and costly medical care.
Some professionals and government officials believe that applying a safety management program to the industry would help limit accidents and minimize fatalities. The pain a Colorado family experiences after their loved one passes away from being injured at work can be devastating. Some families may seek guidance as they look to collect all available death and injury benefits.
Source: wyofile.com, “The drilling industry’s explosion problem“, Mike Soraghan, Oct. 20, 2014