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Flash Fire Fatality: What Every Oil & Gas Worker Should Know About Hazard Zones

What began as a standard repair job ended in tragedy.

Three workers were tasked with fixing a leaking crude oil flow line that connected a production well to its tank battery, which is a typical task in the oil and gas industry. They dug a trench, removed a section of the pipe, and began preparing the exposed line for threading. But in a matter of seconds, a spark from an electric pipe threader ignited flammable vapors, setting off a flash fire that engulfed the trench.

Two workers were hospitalized with severe burns. One of them didn’t survive.

Avoid Collisions with Deer

In the United States alone, there are approximately 36 million deer. Each year many drivers and their passengers are injured or killed in collisions involving deer. While many wild animals cross roadways, deer present the most frequent hazard.

The Dangers of Pressure Washing and How to Stay Safe

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2014, an estimated 6,057 people went to the emergency room with injuries related to pressure washer use, and 14% of those ER visits led to additional hospitalization. High-pressure washer injuries are not to be underestimated.

Protect Yourself from the Unique Hazards of this Industry

When hazards can’t be eliminated, substituted, engineered, or administratively controlled, personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last line of defense. PPE is found in all industries, but the oil and gas industry has a unique set of hazards that have the potential to affect workers from head to toe. These unique hazards include hydrogen sulfide (otherwise known as H2S), crystalline silica for hydraulic fracturing, and flash flares.

Protecting Employees Against Hazards

Workers across the United States are required to wear a respirator in the workplace. A respirator protects employees from inhaling dangerous substances such as harmful dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors.