Fall protection not used in 86 percent of fatal oil and gas extraction falls
During 2003–2013, fatality rates for oil and gas extraction workers decreased for all causes of death except those associated with fall events, which increased two percent annually during 2003–2013.
To better understand risk factors for these events, the CDC examined fatal fall events in the oil and gas extraction industry during 2005–2014 using data from case investigations conducted by OSHA. Sixty-three fatal falls were identified, accounting for 15 percent of all fatal events. Among fatal falls, 33 (52 percent) workers fell from a height of greater than 30 feet, and 22 (35 percent) fell from the derrick board, the elevated work platform located in the derrick (structure used to support machinery on a drilling rig).