25 - Protection for workers in the oil and gas industries

Abstract

Workers in the oil and gas sectors are exposed to a number of hazardous environments against which they require protection. The specific hazards, the level of risk, and the severity of any hazard depend on a worker's specific job classification, the tasks performed, and the environment in which the job is carried out. The majority of workers carry out their jobs in an explosive or potentially explosive environment, and despite well-documented safety procedures, flash fires and other explosions occur, so that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required as a last line of defense. The explosive environment also demands that attention be paid to the static propensity of materials used for PPE in these sectors. Since use of steam is expanding for both extraction and production processes, protection against steam and condensate is another important factor. The most significant hazard requiring protective clothing in the oil and gas sectors has been the potential for flash fires. Therefore, protection from flame engulfment is more important than protection from purely radiant exposure. To provide protection from flash fires, a garment system and any material comprising the system must have the ability to: resist ignition and self-extinguish when ignition source is removed; limit heat transmission during a short-term exposure to high heat flux; not melt or shrink upon exposure; maintain its structural integrity and flexibility upon exposure.