The oil and gas extraction (OGE) industry recently experienced a boom period, with a doubling of the workforce during 2004-2014. Despite a downward trend in the OGE worker fatality rate during this boom period, the fatality rate remains seven times higher than in general industry and is also elevated when compared to similar industries (e.g., construction, transportation). Transportation incidents continue to be the leading cause of death to OGE workers (48% of deaths). In 2008, in response to the high fatality rate in this industry, NIOSH created the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Oil and Gas Extraction Safety Council to explore ways to mitigate hazards and reduce the fatality rate. The Council is composed of industry, federal government, insurance, and academic partners and has identified a need for more detailed information on fatal events. This presentation covers the development of a system to address this gap.
METHODS:
In 2014, NIOSH began collecting data for a newly designed database called FOG (Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction). Input from NORA Council members was used to determine industry specific variables to include in the database. FOG contains information on all land-based and offshore fatalities in the U.S. and includes workers whose companies’ industry classification is outside of OGE, but who were working in the industry at the time of their death. Data sources include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), other government sources, media alerts, and professional contacts.
RESULTS:
In 2014, FOG collected information on 106 OGE worker fatalities. Several trends were identified. First, the largest number of fatalities by operation occurred during the rigging up/down process (n=12). Second, six workers died while working over an open oil tank hatch and were exposed to hydrocarbon gases and vapors. Third, several incidents were associated with hot work/welding near vapors from produced water.
CONCLUSIONS:
NIOSH FOG database information led to the recognition of key hazards that may not have been identified through existing surveillance systems. Targeted prevention efforts using detailed FOG data are an important step toward improving safety in this workforce. These include sharing FOG results with industry health and safety professionals. NIOSH will continue to develop partnerships with oilfield states to better identify motor vehicle and other events, enhance data collection, and increase the scope of FOG in the coming years.