In 2021, there were approximately 2.6 million workplace injuries and illnesses. Working on an oil rig is more dangerous than conventional jobs, and workplace accidents are often serious.
It’s essential to understand the most common oil rig injuries so you can take steps to prevent them. Listed below are some of the most notable. Let’s dive in.
Slips and Falls
When working offshore, it’s common to deal with wet surfaces. These can easily lead to slips and falls. Even a single incident can have serious consequences, such as fractured or broken bones.
In some situations, a fall can cause a traumatic brain injury. Workers should always wear shoes with a strong grip when walking on wet surfaces.
Blunt-Force Trauma
Oil rigs have many moving parts. It’s not unlikely that something comes loose and strikes a worker, causing blunt-force trauma.
This could even happen with workplace tools. For example, let’s assume someone is working on a balcony and has a set of tools next to them. They accidentally knock a wrench off a nearby ledge.
This tool falls and strikes a worker below, fracturing their skull. Incidents like these can occur at any time and can happen within seconds. Proper communication and protective gear can minimize the chance of blunt-force trauma.
Burns
Oil rig workers regularly handle flammable materials. Negligence while working can cause these substances to ignite. In rare cases, explosions can occur on oil rigs.
These often result in fires that quickly get out of control. As the fire grows, the risk of additional explosions increases.
To make matters worse, workers can become trapped on the oil rig as the fire spreads. Situations like these can easily result in other complications, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Chemical Inhalation
Chemical inhalation comes with serious health issues. Depending on the substance, it could take only a few seconds to cause major problems. It could even result in death.
Since many substances on oil rigs are toxic, proper ventilation is crucial. Workers should also wear respiratory equipment when necessary.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Although not as serious as other injuries, these can still reduce your quality of life through chronic pain and discomfort. Repetitive motion injuries can develop over time from working. Maintaining a healthy body weight and using the proper equipment can minimize risk.
How to Hire a Lawyer
It’s crucial to understand how to hire the right lawyer if you’re injured on the job. Research their past reputation and level of experience. This provides insight into the results you’ll get.
You should also make sure they often work with clients like you. The better they understand your situation, the better your chance of success.
Don’t Overlook These Oil Rig Injuries
Understanding the above oil rig injuries will help protect you in the future. If you are injured on an oil rig, ensure you get in touch with the right attorney. They’ll help get your life back on track as soon as possible.
Barnes Law Firm prides itself on exceeding each of our client’s expectations. We have decades of experience in the industry, allowing us to effectively hold negligent parties accountable.
Book a consultation today to see how we can help. We can arrange to visit you at your home or hospital room if your injury prevents you from traveling.