Risky Work Zones
However, working in the oil and gas industry carries some risk. Oil field jobs frequently involve exposure to toxic substances and the prevalence of heavy equipment means that workers are prone to falls and collisions. Explosions and vehicle accidents have also occurred.
Safety Regulation Enforcement
The risk that comes with oil field jobs means higher pay and better benefits. It also means that tight safety regulations must be instituted. In America, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is responsible for setting safety standards. Moreover, OSHA has the power to review how well safety guidelines are being followed on work sites. If they find infractions, OSHA may level fines against the company responsible for the drilling site. The fines vary in amount depending upon the type of infraction, and can become particularly burdensome when OSHA believes that a violation was willfully permitted by the oil company.
Oil Company Responsibility
The main responsibility for creating a safe working environment rests on the company that employs oil field workers. Frequently, a supervisor on site will be appointed to ensure that safety regulations are being followed. They may also be responsible for monitoring updates to safety guidelines from OSHA and ensuring that these new regulations are implemented on site.
Knowledgeable Employees Mean a Safer Environment
Usually, part of the hiring process for oil field jobs is submitting to a drug test. Most oil drilling sites are dedicated to preserving a drug and alcohol free working environment, so oil field workers may expect random drug tests during the course of their employment. Employees who are sober on the job are less prone to accidents, generally have quicker reaction times and tend to think more clearly.
Workers who are new to oil field jobs typically undergo extensive safety training before beginning work. OSHA has developed a number of educational programs designed to educate new employees regarding hazards to look out for on the job. The programs cover when and where protective gear should be worn and common safety procedures that are intended to create an accident free drill site.
In addition to initial safety training, many companies require that employees complete a certain number of hours of continuing safety education each year. This ongoing education ensures that workers stay up-to-date with current safety guidelines, and also provides a valuable refresher so that employees don’t neglect some of the more basic tenets of workplace safety.
Safety Standards Are Beneficial
Despite the combined efforts of OSHA and reputable oil companies, oil field workers are still injured or killed every year. However, that number is far smaller than it was before such guidelines were made mandatory. The reality is that safety regulations save lives, and they are a crucial component of all drilling sites.