How Dangerous Is Oil Rig Work?

When you’re on an offshore rig, the dangers that exist on them become obvious. Miles off the coast, workers on offshore rigs deal with dangerous materials, turbulent conditions, and the hazards that come with using heavy equipment. So, just how dangerous is working on an oil rig?

How Often Are Offshore Oil Rig Workers Killed?

As mentioned above, offshore drilling platforms are filled with dangers that are inherent to offshore oil exploration. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the offshore oil and gas extraction industry had a fatality rate that was higher than the average for American works. It determined the industry had an average of 27.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. The average death rate for other United States workers is 3.8 per 100,000 workers. Between 2003 and 2010, 128 workers from the offshore industry died.

Common sources of these accidents include:

• Transportation incidents (51%)
• Contact with objects or equipment (16%)
• Fires and explosions (13%)

Getting Help Quickly After an Offshore Accident: There’s Danger in Distance

Oil rigs are supposed to be equipped with safety gear designed to keep workers safe. Step on a platform and you might notice the watertight life pods that are sitting, ready to take workers away from danger after a catastrophic incident. While companies should be actively working to make sure their safety protocols are preventing the need for these pods, they’re important. While the Coast Guard responds to serious offshore oil incidents, rigs can be miles away from the coast. So, crews might have hours before meaningful help is able to get them the assistance they need during an emergency.

Ultimately, it’s up to the companies that operate offshore oil rigs to keep workers safe. While oil rigs are in harsh conditions and work with volatile components, technology and protocols have been developed to prevent accidents. Even a momentary lapse in safety or maintenance by an offshore company can result in an accident that takes lives and injures others. This makes cutting costs with safety not an option for any oil and gas exploration company.

If a company has neglected safety and it has resulted in your injuries, help is available. Call Arnold & Itkin LLP today at (888) 346-5024 for a free consultation. We're ready to listen to what happened to you and can tell you if we can help you pursue the compensation that you need.