Potentially hazardous work conditions, job duties and health risk… it’s no secret that the oil and gas industry can be a dangerous place to work. The occupational fatality rate for oil and gas extraction workers is more than seven times greater than the rate for all U.S. workers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, in 2008, the most recent year for which data is available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 120 people were killed while performing oil and gas extraction. Non-fatal incidents occurred more frequently; in 2007, there were 4,200 cases of non-fatal injuries of full time oil- and gas-drilling workers.
Choosing and donning the right personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to ensuring the safety of oil and gas workers, as well as to stay in compliance with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. PPE must be used to reduce workers’ exposure to these potential hazards when preferred methods like engineering controls — such as machine guards — or safe work practices are not practical or are not feasible. Here are three factors to be aware of in relation to PPE to help you stay in compliance and save lives: