Stay Alert, Offshore Workers! Make Sure You Know These Common Causes of Oil Rig Accidents
It takes a strong, brave individual to work on a oil rig: working long hours, miles from shore and with the constant possibility of being seriously injured. When you’re hurt on an oil rig, you don’t have that comfort of knowing emergency personnel can show up right away and drive you to the hospital for professional care. You’re at the mercy of your employer and have to hope he is good about following safety guidelines and will make sure you’re taken care of if the need arises.
As with most situations in life, it’s good to trust people to keep you safe, but you really need to always look out for yourself as well. If you work on an oil rig, it is essential for you to know some common causes of accidents so that you’re able to do everything in your power to prevent them.
- Long Shifts – Many different occupations work long shifts, but for an oil rig worker, these long shifts can also be quite stressful. Working too many hours in a row while under stress is a recipe for disaster. Even the most level-headed, strong workers can begin to make mistakes as they get more tired and that is when accidents happen.
- Faulty Equipment – Proper equipment maintenance is so important when you work on an oil rig. If machinery or tools break, they can start a fire or fatally injure a person. Even if it’s not your job to maintain certain equipment, be sure to report any concerns to a co-worker or superior who is in charge of making sure things run smoothly.
- The Weather – Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather…but you can make it a point to always check reports. Don’t let a storm take you by surprise!
If you ever notice that something doesn’t seem quite “right” while working on an oil rig, be sure to speak with a supervisor immediately.
Were you injured while working on an oil rig? Call us for a free consultation: 800-232-3711. Stay connected and receive up-to-date information by following Attorney Steve Lee on Facebook.