Extracting oil and gas is very dangerous work. Employers are expected to train their employees to work safely and maintain the equipment they use to perform their job duties. This requires both employers and their employees to manage the materials that they frequently come into contact with each day. Because working on an oilfield requires workers to encounter many different hazards, it is important to take measures that will reduce the number of fatalities oil fields see each year. In this blog, we talk about common equipment malfunctions and what to do to prevent workplace injuries.
Causes & Effects of Equipment Malfunction
There are numerous reasons why oilfield equipment might malfunction and fail. The flowing, are the most common reasons:
- Improper handling of the equipment
- Infrequent or poor maintenance
- In adequate safety inspection
- Metal wearing
- Corrosion
- Defects in the equipment’s design
- Manufacturing defect
- Poor training
If the equipment’s failure or malfunction was caused by a defect, the injured party can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. Oilfield workers who end up using defective equipment can suffer catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Unfortunately, many of the injuries that oilfield workers experience end up doing permanent damage.
How to Prevent Equipment Injuries
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the following tips can help keep oil and gas workers safe when they are using or are around heavy equipment:
- Learn about the hazards associated with your work
- Provide and use personal protective equipment
- Create new ways to protect workers
- Train workers about updated safety procedures
Who Is Liable for an Accident Caused by Equipment Failure?
Oil companies are required to maintain and adhere to strict safety regulations that are designed to protect the health and well-being of workers. Oilfield workers put their lives on the line to earn a living and are involved in an industry with many different inherent dangers. All employees are entitled to work in a safe environment and their employers must uphold the integrity of the workplace. Employers that fail in this duty can face serious fines and expensive lawsuits.
If you have been injured at work because of an equipment malfunction or defect, you have the right to access workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can be used to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. In addition to workers comp, you might also be eligible for other forms of compensation for your injuries and distress.
Contact our San Antonio oilfield accident lawyer to talk about what we can do for you today.