When demand rises, oilfield safety must follow

Daniel Christopher Jones

After the oil market took a massive hit as a result of the global economic downturn, demand is expected to start increasing once again as America seeks to achieve the impossible and quench its incredible thirst for energy.

Last year, the AP carried out some research on oilfield safety that found deaths in the nation's oil and gas fields had risen at an alarming rate. At least 598 workers died on the job between 2002 and 2007, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. During that period, the number of deaths per year rose by around 70 percent, from 72 victims in 2002 to 125 in 2006 and a preliminary count of 120 in 2007.

As oil companies across America prepare to fire up their previously quiet plants and reopen otherwise dormant rigs, pressure will start to pile on the nation's commodity workforce as the effects of the recession subside.

After a drilling boom  that began in 2000, oilfield safety has become a huge concern, because the number of people toiling in America's oil and gas fields has soared. However, this alone does not appear to explain the rising death toll, since the fatality rate - that is, the number killed relative to the number of workers - also climbed during the first half of the decade.

Drug use is even identified as a major danger

Texas is where many of the deaths have occurred, which is no surprise when you consider it is America's largest producer of crude oil and natural gas.

Byunderstanding the factors that contribute to the dangers of the oil and gas industry, it makes it easier to make the necessary changes to help make the sector safer.

Among the reasons identified by the AP are an influx of new workers hired to operate all the increasing number of rigs - many of the newcomers are young, inexperienced and speak little English; the high-pressure environment where workplace safety lapses are common - government agencies responsible for enforcing the rules rarely dole out tough penalties.

One of the most dangerous jobs in the world

Drug use is even identified as a major factor in why the job remains one of the most dangerous in the world, where many turn to methamphetamines to get through 12-hour shifts and labor up to 14 days in a row.

Oilfield safety is a major concern for the industry and the government, not only because of the threats to life involved but also because the last thing America needs when energy demands are growing and growing is for people to be reluctant to pursue a career in oil and gas due to safety concerns.

Simple steps such as a cap on the number of hours a labourer can work in a week could help to significantly improve oilfield safety, companies just need to be prepared to put the well being of their staff ahead of productivity.

Related Articles:

Oil demand a real threat to US security | Has oil returned to former glory? | Drill baby, drill!