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Are You Working in One of These Dangerous Oilfield Jobs?
Are you working in one of these dangerous oilfield jobs?
by jessica.freeburg@thomsonreuters.com | Jul 21, 2019 | Oilfield Accidents
If you work in the oil and gas industry in Texas, you probably already know that you face danger every time you set foot in the oilfield. While this industry does carry significant risk, it also typically pays wages that make the risk worth it. However, not every oilfield job carries the same amount of risk. For instance, a geographic information system (GIS) specialist may not face the same kind of dangers as someone that does maintenance on the derrick.
Where does your oilfield stand compared to other positions? Are you at a greater risk of an on-the-job injury than other workers? You could be if you work in one the most dangerous oilfield jobs described below.
Derrick hands
Derrick hands spend their time keeping a close eye on the drill pipes and supervising the machine while it bores into the drilling hole. In addition, they are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of various other pieces of machinery present on the drill site. This means that if something goes wrong on the scene, the derrick hand has a high probability of being in the line of fire. Moreover, derrick hands have to work in a variety of less than ideal weather conditions. From extreme heat to high winds, the derrick hands have to be able to operate in rough conditions to ensure the derrick continues to operate at capacity.
Roustabouts
Roustabouts are typically the first-year, entry-level workers that do the brunt of the physical labor on an oil site. Usually, these workers do not have a high level of technical knowledge about the derrick or other oilfield equipment. However, they also have to work in hard conditions and around machinery that poses a danger. Like derrick hands, they have a high chance of suffering a catastrophic accident if equipment malfunctions.
Oilfield drivers
The oil and gas industry is very attractive to people looking for driving jobs due to the extended working hours and potential to make good money in a fairly short amount of time. Unfortunately, many drivers end up working in shifts of more than 20 hours which causes the workers to become drowsy and increases the risk of an accident. In addition, since trucks are constantly on the move, that leave very little time for vehicle maintenance, Also, many companies take shortcuts when it comes to regularly inspecting and repairing trucks. Drowsy drivers plus poorly maintained vehicles can easily lead to serious accidents.
If you work in the oil and gas industry and have suffered an oilfield injury, understand that you have options. You might be able to take legal action to recover lost wages and win compensation for your injuries and other damages.