According to preliminary data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the gas and oil industries account for almost two-thirds of the 2007 deaths in the private mining sector. In those industries, the death rate was 24.8 per 100,000 workers.
The construction industry also has a high rate of fatalities, because it exposes workers to hazards such as potential explosions, fires, crane accidents, and falls. The death rate across all industries nationwide is much lower: 3.7. So far, there is no data available for 2008.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s website, “Fatality rates are higher when there is an increased number of active drilling and workover rigs. This is hypothesized to be a result of an increase in the proportion of inexperienced workers, longer working hours (more overtime) and the utilization of all available rigs (older equipment with fewer safeguards).”
For this reason, it is crucial that oil, gas, and construction companies make safety a high priority, both in worker training and day-to-day operations to prevent accidental injury or death.
Oil, gas industry has high fatality rate, February 22, 2009, Shreveport Times
Our Massachusetts construction accident lawyers can advice you if you or a family member has been injured as the result of a construction accident.