March 11, 2020 Oil Rig Safety, Protecting Yourself as a Worker

Oil rig workers are at constant risk of accidents that can be fatally endangering. Appropriate safety measures are a must!

If you are working in an oil rig, then you can attest that it’s not like any other working environment. You need to work but also keep an eye on many hazards and incidents ranging from explosions, falls, and even terrible accidents from equipment, etc. It is, therefore, essential to know how to take care of your safety. We have compiled a few guidelines to protect yourself as a worker in an oil rig.

Always Wear Fall Protection

One of the essential safety tips is to always wear your fall protection. The oil rigs are characterized by elevated structures, and most of the time, you have to climb the oil drilling structures. This puts you at a higher risk of falling. Some of the common causes of falls involve slips or trips, unprotected edges or sides, unstable working surfaces, and improper ladder use. Apart from you falling, there are dangers of falling objects. To be safe, you need to have protective gear such as helmets on always to ensure that objects that fall, such as debris and tools do not fall directly on your head.

Tip: Struck-by hazards are one of the most dangerous in an oil rig site. These are essentially flying objects on the site. So, always wear safety glasses, goggles or a face shield when you are using, or you are anywhere near power tools

Don’t fall asleep at Work

Working in an oil rig is one of the jobs that require maximum concentration. A slight mistake, and you could end up severely injured, or injure your colleague and worse even death. Despite the long working hours, and tiredness, being alert is imperative in such a job. When you are tired or under stress, it is prudent to let your immediate supervisor know that you need to get some rest.

Tip: Try to also get as much sleep as you can when you have a break from work.

Beware of Fire

Due to the nature of the work, it is very easy for you to be a victim of a fire accident. Yes, most of the tasks involve drilling oil and natural gases that are very flammable. In case of a simple error, such as a spark from the equipment or the machines, you might be caught in a fire. In the event of a fire, you should try to put it out immediately, but when unable to, your priority is to ensure you get to a safe area. The bottom line is that you should always be on the lookout and avoid anything that can cause fire, including to:

• Avoid smoking
• Check for “spark” producing machines & ensure there are spark arrestors at site
• Avoid any open flames in the rig
• Avoid having vehicles with catalytic converters in the site

Follow the Safety Rules

There are safety rules that govern any work in a drilling site. These rules entail what is allowed and what isn’t. It has details of what should be done in case of an accident. So, these rules should be adhered to for your safety. In the case that any of the rules are not clear or you feel you are not safe, then seek clarification and help from your supervisors.

What if you or your loved one has had an Accident in the Rig?

Now, in case you or your loved one gets involved in an accident, you should seek compensation to cover personal injury, lost wages, and even death. A leading accident attorney Nashville, Tennessee explains that, although oil rig accidents are not common, they can be quite devastating for the victims and families. Some of the worst oil rig disasters have killed hundreds of workers at a go. Some companies are known to try and cover up accidents making a quest for justice easier said than done.

That’s why you need to find and hire an oil rig accident attorney with a good track record. The attorney can take over the case to follow up on the causes of accidents then doing further investigations, and fighting for compensation.

In conclusion

If you work in an oil rig, it’s vital to know the steps on how to protect yourself. This involves wearing protection gear, being alert, following the safety rules, etc. You should also hire an attorney in case of an accident to get the compensation you deserve. Remember, you should always consider safety first!

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