Workers in the oil and gas industry go about their shifts knowing they work in a risky environment. Manipulating heavy machinery, working in elevated or tight spaces, and being near fuel storage tanks or extreme substances are all part of this dangerous equation. These workers must practice certain safety measures consistently, and management must support them by promoting their safety. Apart from wearing the appropriate work uniforms, here are some worker safety tips in the oil and gas industry, read on.
Use Drones for Monitoring and Emergency Response
First, utilizing advanced technology can limit worker exposure to danger and address emergencies. Drones allow companies to conduct robust remote site inspections, appropriately mapping a region and even descending into cramped quarters so workers don’t have to.
In addition, drones are ideal tools in an emergency. Whether you’re dealing with an oil spill or fire, drones can give you a quick idea of the scope of the problem. This allows you to more quickly transition to taking action and keeping employees from danger.
Provide and Update Signage
One of the most important safety features on an oil or gas site is the signage that directs workers. Keeping these signs consistent tells employees where they should and shouldn’t be and keeps them in the know about what’s happening on-site.
Over time, it’s also vital to update your signage as conditions change and make sure your signs are legible and precise. The last thing you want is for a worker accident to happen because of improperly posted or confusing signs. At the least, these miscommunications compromise worker confidence in their company to provide a safe work environment.
Regulate Access to Confined Spaces
Another worker safety tip for the oil and gas industry is to prepare for work in a confined space. Workers should always assess the area before entering to avoid noxious chemicals or a lack of accessible oxygen. The biggest danger to these cramped quarters is the possibility of worker death from lack of oxygen or asphyxiation.
On a broader level, management should restrict access to these confined spaces to keep people safe. They can do so by designating them “permit-required” for entry. Even for workers with a permit, though, a safety protocol should be in place for determining whether these areas are safe, and an updated confined space rescue training should be provided.
Because they work in a risky environment, the occurence of accidents is more than likely. Injured workers may seek compensation and hire a job site accident lawyer to help them with the claim. It's important to find a workers comp law firm that has helped workers win their cases before.
