What are the most common hazards in the oil and gas industry?

Read the peer-reviewed papers authored by Eric J Esswein at NIOSH and his colleagues. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of death for oil and gas workers.

Fire and Explosion are very high risk vs low probability in oil and gas considering stringent company policies and procedures embedded in the SOP of tasks which identify these hazards in today's oil&gas industry. But if the controls fail the results can be devastating as seen in past and recent incidents across industries be it Oil&Gas, manufacturing or domestic housing. Training, refreshers and regular monitoring of the implementation of procedures and regulatory requirements is non-negotiable and accountability established with workforce and management. In cases where individuals or management have found to be negligent or in violation of regulations consequence management needs to be enforced after a thorough investigation.

In Australia, the most dangerous hazards in the O&G sectors are Environmental Activists and a Labor/Green Government. Woodside now signing development deal in Timor as their Australian greenfield project is being blocked due to whale migratory routes (Seismic Surveying impact) and Rock art.

While I lack personal experience in the oil and gas industry, I recognize that it is prone to significant hazards compared to many other industries. This heightened risk is primarily attributed to the presence of large quantities of oil, fuels, and other potentially dangerous substances. In order to mitigate these risks, it is crucial for the industry to have well-established work procedures that prioritize safety. The consequences of even a single mistake or oversight can be catastrophic. In general, regardless of the industry, fire and explosion incidents are universally critical concerns that demand careful management to prevent the loss of assets and, most importantly, human lives.

Algumas substancias químicas s?o passíveis de quantifica??o. A quantifica??o é fundamental para tomada de decis?o quanto a medida coletiva ou individual do trabalho. Conforme a hierarquia das normas regulamentadoras, o controle do ambiente vem antes das medidas de prote??o individual. Com o resultado das avalia??es é possível avaliar a necessidade de modifica??es estruturais (prediais, máquinas ou equipamentos) bem como a eficiência do equipamento de prote??o individual.

The most common hazards in the oil and gas industry are Explosions and Fires, Ergonomic Hazards and Confined Spaces. Others are Falls, Confined Spaces and High Pressure Lines and Equipment.

A indústria de gás e petróleo precisa tomar medidas rigorosas para proteger seus trabalhadores e o meio ambiente das substancias perigosas presentes em suas opera??es. As medidas de prote??o individual e ambiental, aliadas à constante pesquisa e desenvolvimento de tecnologias mais seguras, s?o fundamentais para minimizar os riscos e garantir a seguran?a e a saúde de todos.

Chemical hazards arise from the substances used and produced in oil and gas operations. Hydrocarbons, toxic gases, and corrosive chemicals can pose serious health risks if not handled and managed properly. Adequate ventilation, personal protective equipment, and comprehensive safety measures are imperative to prevent chemical exposure.

Workers may come into contact with toxic chemicals, gases, and hydrocarbons, leading to health issues. Proper handling, storage, and use of these substances are crucial.

Working in confined spaces, such as tanks or vessels, poses risks of asphyxiation, exposure to hazardous substances, or entrapment.

Espa?o Confinado é qualquer área ou ambiente n?o projetado para ocupa??o humana contínua, que possua meios limitados de entrada e saída, cuja ventila??o existente é insuficiente para remover contaminantes ou onde possa existir a deficiência ou enriquecimento de oxigênio. A NR-33 estabelece requisitos mínimos para avalia??o, monitoramento, reconhecimento dos espa?os confinados para garantir a saúde e a seguran?a do trabalhador. Todo o trabalho a ser realizado em espa?o confinado deverá ser precedido de Análise Preliminar de Riscos - APR ou Análise de Risco - AR. Essa análise previne as ocorrências de acidentes de trabalho.

A indústria de gás e petróleo deve priorizar a seguran?a dos trabalhadores que atuam em espa?os confinados. A implementa??o rigorosa de medidas de prote??o, como análise de riscos, PET, EPIs, EPCs, treinamento, supervis?o e cumprimento de normas e regulamenta??es, é fundamental para prevenir acidentes e garantir a seguran?a do trabalho.

Confined spaces pose a significant hazard in the oil and gas industry due to their unique characteristics. These spaces, such as tanks, vessels, and pipelines, often have limited entry and exit points, inadequate ventilation, and potential for the accumulation of hazardous gases. The presence of toxic gases, lack of oxygen, and potential for flammable substances make confined spaces prone to accidents like asphyxiation, explosions, or exposure to harmful chemicals. Proper training, safety protocols, and equipment are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the well-being of workers in the oil and gas industry.

Working in confined spaces like tanks or vessels can lead to risks such as lack of oxygen, toxic gases, and physical entrapment. Proper training and safety measures are essential for confined space entry.

Slips and Trips are a common hazard that may result in a fall. Work surfaces are slippery in the winter and muddy in hte summer. Every worksite will have a variety of uneven ground hazards that may cause someone to slip or trip. Its critical that everyone wears appropriate footwear, and that the ground conditions are maintained. In the winter you should have traction aids on your boots to aid in reducing slip potentials on ice. If you see a hazard that may cause a slip or trip, correct it immidiately or flag the hazard so your peers do not slip or trip due to hte hazard. after ifs flagged report it to your supervisor.

Para evitar quedas em ambientes de trabalho é importante tomar algumas medidas como instalar piso antiderrapante, ilumina??o adequada, corredores livre de obstáculos, guarda corpo, manter o piso livre de substancias gordurosas e uso de cal?ados de seguran?a com solado antiderrapante. Instruir o trabalhador sobre procedimentos de seguran?a é um fator muito importante. As placas de sinaliza??o também ajudam na preven??o de ocorrência de quedas nos locais de trabalho.

Para prevenir quedas e escorreg?es na indústria de gás e petróleo, é fundamental que as empresas adotem medidas de preven??o rigorosas, como: 1. Manter as superfícies limpas e secas: remover qualquer tipo de material que possa causar escorreg?es. 2. Nivelar os pisos: eliminar desníveis e buracos. 3. Sinalizar áreas perigosas: utilizar placas, cones e outros dispositivos de sinaliza??o. 4. Garantir ilumina??o adequada: manter os ambientes bem iluminados. 5. Fornecer cal?ados adequados: fornecer botas de seguran?a com solado antiderrapante. 6. Treinar os trabalhadores: conscientizar os trabalhadores sobre os riscos de quedas e escorreg?es e como evitá-los.

In the oil and gas industry, falls and slips, particularly in offshore operations, are common causes of injuries. Workers may experience accidents from heights or on slippery surfaces. This can lead to fractures, sprains, bruises, or head injuries. Prevention measures include using fall protection systems like harnesses, guardrails, or nets, wearing suitable footwear, maintaining clean work areas, and promptly reporting hazards.

Para prevenir os riscos ergon?micos na indústria de gás e petróleo, é fundamental que as empresas adotem medidas de preven??o rigorosas, como: 1. Implementa??o de um programa de ergonomia. 2. Adapta??o do ambiente de trabalho. 3. Programas de exercícios físicos e alongamento, orienta??o sobre postura correta no trabalho e cria??o de um ambiente de trabalho saudável e seguro.

In my experience, most of the common ergonomics hazards in field services operations handling manual loads and tools, are: Heavy Lifting: The need to lift heavy objects without proper ergonomic measures can pose a risk to workers, potentially causing back injuries. Vibration Exposure: Workers exposed to prolonged periods of vibration, such as from machinery or equipment, may face increased risks of musculoskeletal disorders. Equipment Design: Poorly designed tools and equipment can contribute to ergonomic hazards if they don't accommodate the natural movements of the human body. High Force Requirements: Tasks requiring excessive force can result in overexertion and musculoskeletal strain for workers.

Os riscos ergon?micos est?o presentes em todas as tarefas de trabalho. é obrigatório a realiza??o da Análise Ergon?mica do Trabalho - AET para identificar o aspecto postural do trabalhador na realiza??o de suas atividades e propor medidas preventivas e corretivas no trabalho. A AET ajuda na preven??o das más posturas no trabalho.

Ergonomic hazards are very common in the oil field, we spend hours walking in facilities on uneven terrain, we climb structures, work on metal gratting, and depending on your role you might find yourself in an awkward position for extended periods of time. For example: Welders will spend hours in a prone position wleding and grinding mateirals. Equipment operators will spend hours sitting in the cab of a piece of equipment. Labourers will spend hours lifting and carrying items to assist a variety of trades in completing activties. Senior Leadership will spend hours in a chair in front of a computer. All of these task equate to ergonomic hazards making it critical to ensure you are taking micro breaks to reposition and stretch out.

Ergonomic hazards in the industry result from repetitive tasks, awkward postures, and the manual handling of heavy loads. These factors contribute to musculoskeletal disorders among workers. Implementing ergonomic design principles and providing ergonomic training can reduce the prevalence of these issues.

Psychological hazards are common in the oil and gas industry. Workers are exposed to long work shifts, typically high stress work activities, with a variety of different peers from all walks of life. All of this while also living away from your family in a work camp in a remote location with thousands of other people. Anyone wanting to work in the oil field needs to be prepared for this reality and be prepared for the mental and emotional strain this will put on an individual.

Psychological hazards in the oil and gas industry, like stress and isolation, can impact workers' mental well-being, leading to issues such as anxiety or depression. To address these challenges, employees should seek social support, participate in recreational activities, manage their time effectively, consider professional help, and promptly report any incidents.

This is a hazard that is often overlooked and definitely needs more attention in the sector. There are clients that limit days on rigs to 30 days and then have a mandatory 7 day rest period. Others either don't know better or turn a blind eye.

No olvidemos incluir dentro de este aspecto psicológico el riesgo latente de las consecuencias de los focos de incendio y las consecuencias de una inminente explosión. La necesidad de determinar y no demorar en informar un incendio declarado, de saber retirarse a zonas seguras, y de los tiempos con que se puede contar para cada caso. Si podemos reflejar conscientemente en cada trabajador/a con que se cuenta, y cuando ponerse a salvo, podríamos bajar el estrés con el que se trabaja. Además de aplicar la idea de algunos trabajadores eléctricos que dicen "a la electricidad no hay que tenerle miedo, sino respeto", creo que aplicaría perfecto en éste rubro.

Why is no consideration given to transportation and travel risks. The average offshore worker travels by car, train, plane, ferry and helicopter etc. all present significant risks probably totaling above the e-4 criteria and for field intervention teams it could be much higher so why such risks not given consideration here?

I would like to propose that we analyze fatigue management practices and applications, particularly for foreign workers in the Middle East (KSA, Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, etc.). We should also explore how these practices align with the statutory regulations of each country. Inadequate or nonexistent fatigue management practices are the root cause of severe injuries and fatalities in the oil and gas and construction industries.

Over the last fifty plus years I have watched "in-house on-the-job " training, "time earned" experience and knowledge, natural aptitude and good wages being replaced by out sourced training, HR recruitment of wannabes, an over reliance on safety officers and certification rather than technical knowledge and common sense with correspondingly low wages. You wonder why you have problems?

The oil and gas industry's hazards demand a comprehensive approach to safety. This includes robust training programs, strict adherence to safety protocols, ongoing risk assessments, and a commitment to environmental stewardship. By addressing these hazards systematically, the industry can strive to create a safer working environment for its personnel and mitigate the potential for adverse environmental impacts.

While safety is everyone's responsibility, safety must start from the top down. Good leaders lead by example, conduct regular safety meetings, follow up on worker concerns, make sure safety messages are communicated to workers, and take action when rules are not followed. Companies should provide good training programs to its workforce and ensure workers, especially supervisors are trained and familiar with safety rules. It is often the supervisor who is there the longest, should be most familiar with the plant and be able to provide guidance to workers.