New resources available to help protect oilfield workers. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/oilandgas/index.html

A new training module and hazard alert on protecting workers in the oil and gas industry are now available from OSHA. Both resources were developed through OSHA's alliance with the National Service, Transmission, Exploration and Production Safety Network and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

A new transportation module has been added to OSHA’s online Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool to provide possible solutions to fatigue, distracted driving, weather factors, and other conditions that can make travel to and from work dangerous.

A new OSHA hazard alert explains steps that employers must follow to protect workers, along with information that workers can use to help protect themselves from fires and explosions. Conducting a fire risk assessment, for example, can ensure safe positioning of all motorized equipment.

Explore the Potential Hazards of this Industry

The oil and gas industry employs hundreds of thousands of people and is a vital component of the national economy. Worker safety and health are important to this industry. This eTool* identifies common hazards and possible solutions to reduce incidents that could lead to injuries or fatalities.

Each drilling and servicing company has its own safety program. This eTool is not a replacement for those programs nor does it establish any industry consensus standards (industry disclaimer). Rather, it can be used as a resource in identifying workplace hazards and providing possible solutions that may be relevant to their safety programs. This eTool does not purport to identify all hazards and solutions. This eTool focuses on land based operations.

Worker safety awareness is necessary for injury prevention during all phases of drilling and servicing operations. Procedures and processes will include safety meetings, Job Safety Analyses, and general and task-specific training. At the end of each section, resources are identified that provide more details for establishing safe work practices and procedures.

JSA A key element of any effective safety program is the Job Safety Analysis (JSA). This eTool may be useful in preparing JSAs for your worksite.

Additional Industry References

There are numerous references to API, AESC, and IADC publications, industry safety handbooks, safety programs, training facilities and programs, under the heading of "Additional Information," which can provide more complete and detailed information.