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A starting point is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a new report, enabling the oil and gas industry, federal workplace regulators, and state policy makers to gain improved understanding of the life-threatening hazards associated with extraction.
The first-of-its-kind, the study relies on federal workplace data from 2014 through 2019 and was released earlier this month, tracked a total of 470 deaths among industry workers across the U.S. and found that vehicle crashes and being hit by an object while on the job were the leading contributing factors of death.
Explosions, falls, and exposure to hazardous substances were among the additional factors that led to fatalities.
During the same five-year period, Texas, the largest oil producer in the United States, recorded the highest number of deaths, with 219 fatalities. Oklahoma followed with 48 deaths, while North Dakota had 39 deaths, as reported by the CDC.
In Texas, the primary causes of death are consistent: 54 individuals lost their lives due to on-site object collisions, while 53 fatalities resulted from vehicle accidents.
The initial insights provided by the findings shed light on the risks associated with oil and gas extraction, although the information is somewhat limited. Researchers at the CDC aim to delve deeper into this field of study. The report draws upon data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, media reports, and notifications received from professional connections. However, it is important to mention that the data regarding self-employed workers is not extensive. Additionally, the research fails to consider fatalities resulting from chronic illnesses acquired through industry work. Furthermore, the authors suggest that deaths related to vehicle accidents are likely underreported due to the absence of federal jurisdiction in tracking such incidents on public roads.
The report reveals that safety regulations in Permian Basin, which spans across 55 counties in West Texas and New Mexico, are effectively working. As a dominant player in the industry, this region contributes approximately 40% of the nation’s oil supply. The study further demonstrates that only 30% of the industry-related fatalities occurred in this area.
Stephen Robertson, executive vice president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, expressed that industry participants are continuously striving to enhance and safeguard working conditions. While the ideal scenario would involve zero fatalities, Robertson finds it noteworthy that the number of incidents in the Permian Basin is comparatively lower than its production share. This observation suggests that safety protocols in this region may be more effectively implemented than in other producing areas.
Let’s consider the Anadarko Basin, which spans a significant portion of Oklahoma. Despite only contributing 3% of the country’s oil and gas production, this region accounted for approximately 10% (48 deaths) of the fatalities monitored by the CDC in the United States.
Robertson stated that while their objective is to achieve zero safety incidents, the nature of their industry presents challenges and potential dangers when safety protocols are not adhered to.
An official death rate, which would have assessed the total number of deaths in relation to the workforce size, was not calculated in the report.
Daniel Foster, the owner of Expert Welding, Engineering, and Inspection, expressed his lack of surprise regarding the data, emphasizing the necessity for further research. Foster’s company offers consulting and workplace inspection services.
He mentioned that workplace deaths are not uncommon and emphasized the necessity for increased supervision.
Foster suggested that incorporating the overall count of workers in each basin would improve the study, as it would provide regulators with a clearer understanding of trends. However, the CDC clarified that it lacked the necessary data on the number of workers in the specific fields analyzed for the study.
The data suggests that one of the undeniable truths about the Permian Basin is that traveling on roads in West Texas carries inherent risks.
According to Michael Smith, the managing director of the Permian Road Safety Coalition, drivers involved in the transportation of oil and gas encounter challenging requirements. The coalition is an organization that conducts research and advises both oil companies and local governments regarding the condition of roads and highways in West Texas.
Smith explained that in the Permian Basin, the industry operates swiftly, mirroring the pace of business. This rapid tempo is reflected on the field and among the workers, who are driven to constantly exceed limits.
Smith stated that oil and gas companies often employ contract drivers without much control over their road safety training. He expressed his desire for increased cooperation among government partners to enhance the overall road conditions in West Texas.
The researchers anticipate that the report will offer further understanding regarding the difficulties associated with oil and gas extraction.
According to Alejandra Ramirez-Cardenas, one of the authors of the report, the industry has informed us that this data source is highly distinctive and that there is a scarcity of publicly accessible information pertaining to the industry. She further emphasizes that having up-to-date and comprehensive information is vital for making informed decisions and ensuring health and safety.
Disclosure: Permian Basin Petroleum Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
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