CDC study explores severe injury trends in oil and gas extraction industry

Washington — Oil and gas extraction operators should include contract workers in site safety management plans, improve job and equipment hazard training, and reinforce safety practices, a recent study concludes.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at OSHA data from January 2015 to July 2022 to determine severe industry trends in the oil and gas extraction industry. In that time, more than 82,000 work-related severe injuries (those resulting in amputation, loss of an eye or inpatient hospitalization) were reported to OSHA. Of those, more than 2,100 (2.6%) were in the oil and gas extraction industry – over 70% of which were incurred by oil and gas operations support activities personnel. Oil and gas well drillers accounted for 23% of the 2,100-plus injuries.

Well service contract workers experienced the most hospitalizations (1,194) and amputations (417), accounting for 57% and 20%, respectively, of all the severe injuries reported. Nearly 900 (43%) of the severe injuries reported in the industry involved upper extremities.

The researchers also recommend that oil and gas extraction operators provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment and conduct daily site safety meetings.

The study was published online in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.