Oil Field Accidents – Safety A Major Concern

Some of the recent fatalities in oil fields demonstrate how dangerous the oil and gas industry can be.

On Wednesday, March 27, 2013, a man was killed in a work accident when he was cleaning an oil tank. The 20-year-old male was cleaning an oil tank in Ross, North Dakota, when an explosion occurred and he was killed. Another worker was injured in the blast as well. The circumstances surrounding the accident are still unclear but are under investigation by Police.

The man sustained severe injuries in the blast and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders shortly after they arrived. Local and state agencies are still investigating the blast and have yet to release more information.

In August of 2012 a Dickinson, North Dakota, man died after a fall at an oil field in Dunn County. The 50-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of of the accident, which occurred at the Big Sky Well Service, in Belfield. The accident took place at 7:30 a.m. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which investigates oil accident deaths, reported that the man fell from the drilling rig basket that was 50 feet in the air. There were no other injuries.

The man’s mother said that Big Sky was like family to her son, who worked for the company for 12 years. She says that he was very safety conscious, even at home, and she could not imagine what happened. “He was not reckless. He drove around like he was 90 years old,” his mother said. She also said of his job “He liked it. It’s the only thing he liked to do and it was good money. He made a lot of friends… He had his ups and downs, and days he wished he had done something else but we all have days like that, you know.”

OSHA reports that the oil field accidents it investigates include struck-by hazards, falls, explosions, etc. Employees reported that Big Sky crews go through a lot of safety training and accidents are rare, fatalities are even more rare.

Falls, explosions, equipment malfunctions, and toxic chemical exposure, are just some of the serious accidents that can happen to workers in the oil fields. But even though these professions are dangerous, it is the job of employers to minimize these risks and keep workers safe.

Missouri Gas Explosion Attorneys

If you or a family member has been injured in an oil field accident, contact a Missouri oil field explosion accident attorney. An attorney who specializes in these types of accidents can help families to recover compensation in the event of a wrongful death or can help accident victims to obtain the benefits they deserve.

The Zevan and Davidson Law Firm have a track record of obtaining results for their clients.

Call (314) 588-7200 today or schedule your free consultation.

photo credit: FeatheredTar