The Top Workplace Hazards for Oil and Gas Workers

What are the hazards in oil and gas industry? For those who work in the oil and gas industry, you know that the hazards you and your fellow workers face every time you are on the job are numerous. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, between 2003 and 2010, 823 oil and gas extraction workers were killed on the job—a fatality rate seven times greater than the rate for all other U.S. industries. 120 of those fatalities occurred in a single year (2008). We want that number to be zero.

On our web pages devoted to the Oil and Gas Industry and sub-industries (Exploration Drilling and Production, Pipeline Transportation and Storage, Refining, Oilfield Equipment, and Services), we've identified nearly 40 categories of hazards that workers may face daily. We'd like to tell you about eight of the most common hazards across the entire oil and gas industry and let you know which of our PPE products can help keep you safe in your particular line of work.

Wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can mean the difference between remaining safe and sustaining a severe injury that could lead to death.

Chemical burns are always a concern. Working around acids, additives, corrosives, solvents, and wastewater puts you in direct contact with toxic substances, such as citric and HCI acids, ammonia, and hydrogen fluoride. Below are some other common chemicals found in oil and gas:

• Benzene - is a crucial component of gasoline
• Methanol and Sodium Thiosulfate - are used as chemical stabilizers 
• Hydrochloric acid - acidizes carbonate formations
• Sulfuric Acid - found during the oil refining process
• Toluene - found in the extraction and refinement of oil and gas

Check out the following oil field chemical industry PDF, which outlines most all chemicals used across the entire industry. 

When encountering hydrogen sulfide, which occurs naturally in oil and gas, you will need chemical gloves, a face shield, and goggles when handling chemicals and opening pressurized systems. Also, it's important to note that numerous chemical environments involve hazardous gases in oil and gas industry.  Even though MCR Safety doesn't carry respiratory protection, it's highly advised to conduct safety hazard assessments if gases are present.. Employers must provide respirators if workplaces have unsafe atmospheric conditions so they aren’t breathing in the chemicals. 

Be sure to look at our glove-permeation guide, which allows you to search glove options by individual chemicals. It should be your starting point for identifying any chemical-resistant glove needs. 

There are many moving parts in the oil and gas industry, most of which are heavy and can move quickly. It's easy to be struck, pinched, and banged in such environments. Examples include:

56% of all recordable Oil & Gas incidents result from workers being "struck by" and "caught between" objects. Hand and finger injuries are common in the oil and gas industry and can account for nearly 50 percent of incidents, though this number can climb as high as 80%! In 2015, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) reported the most significant number of injuries sustained by workers on land affected their hands and fingers, accounting for nearly 38% of all reported incidents.

On the water, those injuries reached nearly 45%. Three of every five on-site fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry result from struck-by/ caught –in, or /caught-between hazards. The second most common cause of fatalities in the oil and gas industry was being struck by an object or piece of equipment. Twenty-six people died in such an incident.

Click the above image to check out our entire online impact glove catalog, ranging from impact level 1 to impact level 3, with most designed for pipelines and oilfields. The gloves below are ideal for oilfields, with the Sasquatch lineup being our heavy-duty style.

Why do we call the PD4906 the iconic Oil & Gas glove? First, it's an impact-resistant glove with ANSI level 1 TPR, which contrasts against the glove's material. It's perfect for keeping rig crews noticed. Second, it features a rough PVC palm, ideal for picking up slippery objects. Third, the neoprene cuff extends past the wrist, keeping objects from entering. Lastly, it has reflective stripes on both sides of the cuff, increasing visibility. 

 

Are you looking for a leather glove that repels oily substances? The 36336 is equipped with oil block technology to provide users with excellent repellant properties. Combine that with impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and double-stitching.

 

Field test results confirm this is one of the longest-lasting gloves, up to 4X longer than standard leather. 

 

Cotton gloves are going nowhere anytime soon. Not only did we release the UT1901, but we also introduced the UT1902. Look at how wonderfully the yellow impact level TPR contrasts against the orange cotton. 

 

The metal components you’re welding may have jagged and sharp edges, and you’re working with high heat from a flame or electricity. Burns and shocks are common risks. Radiation exposure is also possible, along with respiratory-related illnesses and conditions. Welding is a leading cause of worker exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], one of the valence states of chromium, a known carcinogen that also can affect the respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin, and eyes.

Cutting any objects raises the risk of cutting your hands with the equipment you’re using or getting cut by the material you’re cutting. According to 2014 statistics, hand and finger injuries comprised 43% of all recordable incidents on drilling rigs, a slight increase over 2013 (41%) and 2012 (40%).

For welding, we offer a wide assortment of glove that are perfect for different applications. We also carry leather welding gear, as shown below.

 

MCR Safety manufactures a full line of welding clothing designed for dangerous elements in welding oil and gas environments. Unfortunately, synthetic materials like polyester will melt when extreme heat is present and potentially ignite. We've showcased in this image some of our top-selling leather welders, which will not ignite

 

For more information on this subject, we encourage you to check out our article titled An Overview of Welding in Oil and Gas, from the Pipelines to Steel Platforms, and the PPE welders require

Dust is virtually inescapable, especially if you are doing heavy construction work, operating or performing machine maintenance, or loading and unloading material.

Silica is the primary component of sand and rock, meaning silica dust exposure is common during hydraulic fracturing operations. Hydraulic Fracturing involves pumping large volumes of water and sand into rock, allowing oil and gas to flow into a designated well. The process involves transporting silica sand into and through sand movers, releasing dust into the air.

 

OSHA has classified crystalline silica as a lung carcinogen. Breathing it in can cause silicosis, which can be disabling or fatal. Once in the lungs, crystalline silica causes scar tissue development and build-up, inhibiting the lungs’ ability to function correctly. Conveyor sand, operating engines, and motors are all areas where getting dust in your eyes is an irritating concern.

NIOSH lists seven primary sources of silica dust exposure:

• Dust ejected from thief hatches (access ports) on top of the sand movers during refilling operations while the machines are running (hot loading); Dust ejected and pulsed through open side fill ports on the sand movers during refilling operations;
• Dust generated by on-site vehicle traffic;
• Dust released from the transfer belt under the sand movers;
• Dust created as sand drops into, or is agitated in, the blender hopper and on transfer belts;
• Dust released from operations of transfer belts between the sand mover and the blender; and
• Dust released from the top of the end of the sand transfer belt (dragon’s tail) on sand movers.

 

Refineries create a lot of dust during turnaround season.

 

We offer a variety of protective sealed eyewear that will allow you to see while protecting your eyes from dust and other airborne particles.  

Explosions caused by a spark igniting certain vapors or gases are a major concern for oil and gas workers. Flame-resistant gear is mandatory across all production platforms, drilling rigs, and construction barges and for midstream workers. OSHA requires that oilfield workers wear flame-resistant clothing when:

OSHA also identifies tank gauging and sampling at oil and gas extraction sites as a concern for fires and explosions when vapor concentrations exceed 10% of the lower explosive limit.   Flash fires are the principal hazard during refinery maintenance and shutdowns. Temperatures range between 1,000-1,900°F, and a fire will last several seconds.

 
Check out our FR clothing web page for all styles offered. 

Are you working around oil or with compressed air? How about performing a safety inspection? Impaired vision can occur from numerous sources in this industry, especially when gas and oil are everywhere. Eye protection will help keep your eyes safe. There is no shortage of activities in the oil and gas industry where a worker’s eyes need to be protected. Material coming off drilling pipes, splashing chemicals, flying debris, and sparks are all concerns every oil and gas worker faces. Working outdoors in high winds further increases the likelihood of eye injury.

OSHA requires that workers wear eye and face protection when exposed to or at risk of exposure to flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.

 

As we’ve mentioned when discussing other hazards, we offer a variety of eye protection, so you’re sure to find the right glasses or goggles for you. Check out the brand-new DM1328BZ below.

 

 

Physical hazards in oil and gas industry are always concerning, no more so than those that can lacerate a person's body.  Cuts and lacerations comprise 7% of all oil and gas injury claims. If you are clearing a site, doing construction, or using any hand tools, you are more likely to be injured by a sharp object. Whether you’re sanding, grinding materials, cutting pipe, or mounting motors and pipe with metal shims, you’ll need to protect your hands from cuts and lacerations.

According to a report in Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, 70% of workers who injure their hands aren’t wearing gloves. The remainder is wearing gloves inappropriate for the task, damaged, or otherwise inadequate.

 

We have many pairs of gloves that offer superior cut protection. Notice how we carry a solution across all cut performance levels to consider if you’re especially concerned about handling sharp objects. Check out all our cut-resistance products and ANSI scores here.

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Hazards Idenfification 

Occupational health hazards associated with oil and gas extraction activities are endless.  So, having increased knowledge is always helpful.  Below are some of the numberous links we know are beneficial in assisting safety manager in this industry. 

• Extraction Hazards
• Upstream hazards in oil and gas industry pdf
• Safety Management in Oil and Gas
• NIOSH Health and Safety Risks
• OSHA Powerpoint on Guidelines

 

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Common Questions

• Is oil a hazardous material? 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) details oil housekeeping requirements in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 279. However, you'll want to review your specific state's regulations, as they may be stricter. 

• What is the main risk and hazard in oil and gas?
  Explosions and fires are always one of the main concerns safety managers face daily, making it the leading risk workers face. 

Oil and gas industry health hazards are endless. We've only touched on a broad range of areas where we know PPE makes a difference. MCR Safety specializes in protecting people from workplace hazards. When it comes to oil and gas hazards, there are very few second chances when exposed to hazardous environments. Do you have questions about oil and gas hazards? Do we need product offerings for the protection you require?  Contact us!  You can submit a question or provide suggestions or comments. We’re happy to answer your questions, and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect PPE gear for your needs.