The oil & gas sector is known for its hazardous working conditions which can lead to significant injury. We consider here the most common accidents that cause injury in the sector. In 2022, the Health and Safety Executive reported that there were 72 non-fatal injuries with an overall injury rate of 310 per 100,000 workers.
Most common types of accident
Slips, trips and falls
In 2022, this was the most common kind of accident and accounted for 32% of all injuries sustained. Such accidents can occur on wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. The cause of such accidents can include:
- Spilled liquids
- Cluttered work areas
- Uneven flooring
- Inadequate footwear
Manual handling
In 2022, 25% of all injuries resulted from handling, lifting, or carrying. The cause of such accidents can include:
- Manual handling/moving heavy objects
- Repetitive tasks
- Poor ergonomic practices/lack of training
- Prolonged awkward postures
Such accidents can be avoided by implementing mechanical lifting aids, ergonomic assessments of workstations, training on proper lifting techniques, and job rotation to reduce repetitive strain.
Struck by and caught-between incidents
In 2022, 17% of all injuries sustained resulted from contact with moving machinery, being struck by moving objects or being struck against something fixed or stationary. The cause of such accidents can include:
- Moving machinery and vehicles
- Falling tools or materials
- Improperly secured loads
- Congested work areas
Such accidents can be prevented by implementing strict traffic management plans, using barriers and guardrails, ensuring tools and materials are securely stored, and training workers on situational awareness.
Falls from height
In 2022, 4% of all injuries sustained resulted from falls from height. The cause of such accidents can include:
- Inadequate fall protection systems
- Improper use of ladders and scaffolding
- Slippery or unstable surfaces
- Poor lighting
Such accidents can be prevented with the use of personal fall arrest systems, regular inspection/maintenance of scaffolding/ladders, training workers on safety practice, and ensuring adequate lighting/non-slip surfaces.
Making a claim
This is not an exhaustive list of the types of accidents which can occur in the oil & gas industry. Other types of accidents include fires and explosions, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and confined space accidents.
If you suffer an accident whilst working in the oil & gas industry, then you should report it to your employer and have the incident noted in the accident book. You should make sure you have the contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident, and you should take pictures of what caused your accident. It is always best to seek medical attention in the first instance following your accident.
Victims of personal injury have 3 years from the date of the accident or from the date of a loved one’s death to lodge a case at court and serve it upon the Defender e.g. the employer. Should you wish to make a personal injury claim, we would recommend contacting a solicitor as soon as possible.
To discuss your case with a member of our dedicated team, call us today on 0800 988 8082 or complete our online enquiry form and we will get back to you right away.
