Oil Platform Accidents
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), oil and gas workers typically experience more severe injuries than the average worker. Workers injured in an oil and gas accident take about a month to recover, significantly more than the average one-week recovery period. Although vehicle accidents are the most common type of accident faced by oil and gas workers, many other accidents occur on or in transit to oil platforms.
Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and California Oil Platform Accident Lawyers
If you have sustained serious injuries in an oil platform accident, BoatLaw, LLP can assist you. BoatLaw, LLP has served countless offshore workers and families in a multitude of accidents. With decades of combined experience in maritime and admiralty law, we can fight for justice on your behalf.
Call 1 (800) 262-8529 to secure a free consultation with BoatLaw, LLP today. You need a Seattle, Bellingham, Portland, San Francisco or Los Angeles admiralty lawyer that can protect your rights as soon as possible.
Information Center
- Oil Platform Accidents in Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and California
- The Occupational Safety and Health Act Of 1970 General Industry Standards
- The Longshoremen and Harbor Workers Compensation Act
- Additional Resources
Oil Platform Accidents in Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and California
Typical oil platform accidents include:
Vehicle crashes – Vehicle crashes often happen when workers transport materials.
Object injuries – Objects and equipment on oil platforms can injure workers. Objects may strike workers, and workers can be caught in things, as well as in between items. To prevent object injuries, OSHA has several requirements, including eye and face protection, head protection, foot protection, hand protection, and guides for handling machinery.
Explosions and fires – Workers on oil platforms may be exposed to flammable gasses and oils, which can cause explosions and fires.
Falls – Workers on oil platforms may also be exposed to heights and suffer falls. OSHA mandates protection against falls from drilling platforms.
Confined space injuries – Oil and gas workers may have to enter confined spaces, such as storage tanks. Workers may experience suffocation, exposure to chemicals, and explosions.
Ergonomic hazards – Physical activities that workers perform may cause injuries, such as strains or sprains.
High-pressure lines and equipment – Intense gas pressure may harm workers. Additionally, erosion can damage equipment, resulting in injuries.
Electrical injuries – Errors in equipment design and maintenance may expose workers to electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic energy.
Machine accidents – Workers can experience accidents related to the regular use of machinery and machine malfunctions.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act Of 1970 General Industry Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) provides general industry standards and entitles oil platform workers to protections against workplace hazards. OSHA’s General Industry Standards protect employees working on oil platforms from workplace hazards. For instance, workers on oil platforms can be exposed to dangerous heights. Part 1910.28(a)(1) of OSHA’s General Industry Standards requires that all employees be protected from falls and falling objects. Further, part 1926.105(a) of OSHA’s General Industry Standards states that workplaces more than 25 feet above the ground or water must have safety nets. Safety nets must be in place in workplaces where ladders, scaffolds, catch platforms, temporary floors, safety lines, or safety belts are unfeasible.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 also imposes a general duty on employers to comply with safety and health standards and ensure workplaces are free from hazards likely to kill or seriously harm workers.
The Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) allows workers disabled on the navigable waters of the United States compensation, medical care, and vocational rehabilitation services. The LHWCA is a no-fault law. Therefore, an individual injured on an oil platform is entitled to compensation from his or her employer regardless of whether the individual caused or contributed to the injury. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) extended the protections of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to workers on oil rigs.
Additional Resources
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Fact Sheet – The US Bureau of Labor Statistics presents statistics about fatal industrial injuries in the private sector mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry. The US Bureau of Labor statistics considers oil and gas extraction a type of mining. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the oil and gas extraction injury accounted for nearly three-quarters of all fatal mining injuries from 2003 to 2015.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Oil and Gas Extraction– The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides an overview of oil and gas extraction, including the number of oil and gas extraction worker fatalities from 2013 to 2017, the health and safety hazards to oil and gas extraction workers, OSHA provisions applicable to oil and gas extraction, and the five OSHA regions.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Oil and Gas Extraction Safety Hazards– The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines the safety hazards associated with oil and gas extraction.
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 General Duty Provision- The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 includes a general provision requiring employers to provide a safe work environment.
Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act Frequently Asked Questions- The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs provides an overview of the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.
Oil Platform Accident Attorneys | Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and California
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in an oil platform accident, contact BoatLaw, LLP. Our maritime injury lawyers carry the knowledge and resources to adequately tackle all the legal and financial specifics associated with your case. We can discuss your options and work hard to secure optimal compensation on your behalf.
Call 1 (800) 262-8529 to secure a free consultation with BoatLaw, LLP today. Our skilled oil platform lawyers litigate in courts in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and California, representing clients nationwide.
