Gas Extraction Workers Research Articles

Risky driving behaviors and employer motor vehicle safety policies among U.S. oil and gas extraction workers

Introduction: Over half of fatal occupational injuries in the oil and gas extraction (OGE) industry are due to transportation incidents. While driving for work is common in this industry and risky driving behaviors have been identified as contributing factors to fatal crashes among OGE workers, limited information is available on the frequency of risky driving behaviors and employer policies to reduce these behaviors. Methods: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of OGE workers in three states. Responses from 363 OGE workers who drive as a part of their work duties were analyzed to evaluate relationships between self-reported risky driving behaviors (i.e., speeding, cell phone use, and driving unbelted) and awareness of motor vehicle safety policies by their employers. Results: Hands-free cell phone use was the most common risky driving behavior among participants (59.8%), while a hands-free cell phone ban was the least commonly reported employer motor vehicle safety policy (34.7%). Multiple logistic regression results identified longer work and commuting hours, lack of employer motor vehicle safety policies, having ever been in a work crash, and being employed by an operator to be significantly associated with risky driving behaviors. Conclusions: Workers whose employers lacked motor vehicle safety policies were more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors. Practical applications: Results of this survey support the implementation of motor vehicle safety interventions such as bans on texting and handheld and hands-free cell phone use, speed management, and in-vehicle monitoring systems by OGE employers as well as research focusing on the effectiveness of these interventions in OGE. Additional research could examine worker driving behaviors through self-reported data in combination with objective measures.

Fatalities Involving Substance Use Among US Oil and Gas Extraction Workers Identified Through an Industry Specific Surveillance System (2014-2019).

Characteristics of oil and gas extraction (OGE) work, including long hours, shiftwork, fatigue, physically demanding work, and job insecurity are risk factors for substance use among workers. Limited information exists examining worker fatalities involving substance use among OGE workers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction database was screened for fatalities involving substance use from 2014 through 2019. Twenty-six worker deaths were identified as involving substance use. Methamphetamine or amphetamine was the most common substances (61.5%) identified. Other contributing factors were lack of seatbelt use (85.7%), working in high temperatures (19.2%), and workers' first day with the company (11.5%). Employer recommendations to mitigate substance use-related risks in OGE workers include training, medical screening, drug testing, and workplace supported recovery programs.

Working Alone and/or in Remote Locations: Opportunities to Prevent the Risk of Fatality From Cardiovascular Events in Oil and Gas Extraction Workers.

The aim of the study is to explore personal and work factors related to fatal cardiac events among oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction database was reviewed to identify fatal cardiac events among OGE workers from 2014 through 2019. A case series design was used to review case files, provide descriptive statistics, and summarize the findings. There were 75 fatalities identified, including 55 (73%) with sufficient information for review. Of the 55 workers, 18 (33%) worked alone. Thirty-six fatal cardiac events (66%) were unwitnessed by a coworker. Toxicology findings suggested some possible exposures to hydrogen sulfide or hydrocarbon gases or vapors. Missing data were common. This study identified the need for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment, emergency preparedness, lone worker programs, medical screening, and enhanced exposure control in the OGE industry.

Self-reported exposure to hazards and mitigation strategies among oil and gas extraction workers in three U.S. states

Numerous health and safety hazards exist at U.S. onshore oil and gas extraction worksites. Higher fatal injury rates have been reported among drilling and servicing companies, which are more likely to employ workers in construction and extraction occupations, compared to operators that employ more workers in management and office and administrative support roles. However, there is little information describing the extent to which workers encounter these hazards, are provided hazard mitigation strategies by their employers, or use personal protective equipment (PPE). A cross-sectional survey of 472 U.S. oil and gas extraction workers was conducted to identify and characterize factors related to on-the-job fatalities, injuries, and illnesses and determine workers’ health and safety concerns. Workers were employed by servicing companies (271/472, 57.4%), drilling contractors (106/472, 22.5%), and operators (95/472, 20.1%). The likelihood of contact with hazardous substances varied by substance and company type. Drilling and servicing employees had significantly higher odds of self-reported contact with pipe dope (ORdrilling = 10.07, 95% CI: 1.74–63.64; ORservicing = 5.95, 95% CI: 2.18–18.34), diesel exhaust (ORdrilling = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.15–5.05; ORservicing = 4.93, 95% CI: 2.73–10.32), and drilling mud (ORdrilling = 24.36, 95% CI: 4.45–144.69; ORservicing = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.24–12.20), compared to operators. Safety policies, programs, and trainings were commonly reported by workers, although substance-specific training (e.g., respirable crystalline silica hazards) was less common. Differences in self-reported employer PPE requirements and worker use of PPE when needed or required for safety highlight a need for novel strategies to improve the use of PPE. Overall, this study highlights differences in work conditions by company type and uncovers gaps in employer administrative controls and PPE use.

On the road again: A cross-sectional survey examining work schedules, commuting time, and driving-related outcomes among U.S. oil and gas extraction workers.

Oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers in the United States experience high fatality rates, with motor vehicle crashes the leading cause of death. Land-based OGE workers drive frequently to remote and temporary worksites. Limited information is available on factors that may influence crash risk for this workforce. A cross-sectional survey of 500 land-based OGE workers examined work schedules and hours, commuting, sleep, employer policies, and their relationship to potentially harmful events while driving. Over 60% of participants worked 12 or more hours per day. The mean daily roundtrip commuting time was 1.82 h. Longer daily commutes, nonstandard work schedules, less sleep on workdays, and lack of employer policies were associated with one or more risky driving-related outcomes. Implementation and evaluation of OGE employer policies and programs to limit long work hours, reduce long daily commutes, promote sufficient sleep, and reduce drowsy driving among U.S. OGE workers are needed.

US research needs related to fatigue, sleep, and working hours among oil and gas extraction workers.

During 2003-2013, 1189 US oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers died while working, resulting in an average annual workplace fatality rate seven times that for all US workers. OGE work commonly involves long hours, shiftwork, irregular schedules, and long commutes, but effects of these factors on fatigue, occupational injury, and illness in OGE are largely unknown. A scoping review of relevant OGE research during 2000-2019 was completed and supplemented by input from a NIOSH-sponsored Forum. Seventy-eight papers were identified; 76% reported only offshore research. Five themes for research needs emerged: build knowledge about the impacts of fatigue; explore interactions between on- and off-the-job risk factors; identify and evaluate interventions; assess effectiveness of technology; and increase the diffusion of fatigue risk management information. Further collaboration between researchers and OGE operators and contractors can lead to action-oriented recommendations to mitigate the effects of fatigue, inadequate sleep, and shiftwork.

Health conditions in retired manual labor miners and oil and gas extraction workers: National Health Interview Survey, 2007–2017

Within the mining industrial sector, workers in the mining and oil and gas extraction (OGE) industries have demonstrated disparities in chronic health status compared with the general working population. However, we know much less about miner and OGE worker health once retired. This study separately compares chronic illnesses in retired miners and OGE workers with all other retirees. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) public data were analyzed for the years 2007-2017 to estimate weighted unadjusted and adjusted prevalence of selected health conditions (cancer, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory conditions, health status, and hearing loss) in retirees. Three retired worker groups (miners, OGE, and other retirees) were defined using the respondents' longest-held industry and occupation. Higher prevalence of a number of adverse health conditions was noted in miners and OGE workers when compared with all other retirees. A significantly higher adjusted prevalence of hypertension, hearing loss, functionally limiting lung problems, and fair or poor health was seen in miners over other retirees. Retired OGE workers demonstrated a significantly higher adjusted prevalence of both hearing loss and poor health status. Miners and OGE workers have higher morbidity during their working years, and this study demonstrates that poorer health appears to continue into retirement. These results suggest the need to expand occupational health and safety programs in the mining sector to improve the health of workers into retirement. Future studies that include more robust information on workplace exposures are needed to evaluate the long-term health of retired workers.

CE Module: Health Risk Factors Among Miners, Oil and Gas Extraction Workers, Other Manual Labor Workers, and Nonmanual Labor Workers, BRFSS 2013-2017, 32 States.

CE Module: Health Risk Factors Among Miners, Oil and Gas Extraction Workers, Other Manual Labor Workers, and Nonmanual Labor Workers, BRFSS 2013-2017, 32 States.

Occupational Fatalities Resulting from Falls in the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry, United States, 2005-2014.

During 2003-2013, fatality rates for oil and gas extraction workers decreased for all causes of death except those associated with fall events, which increased 2% annually during 2003-2013 (1). To better understand risk factors for these events, CDC examined fatal fall events in the oil and gas extraction industry during 2005-2014 using data from case investigations conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Sixty-three fatal falls were identified, accounting for 15% of all fatal events. Among fatal falls, 33 (52%) workers fell from a height of >30 feet (9 meters), and 22 (35%) fell from the derrick board, the elevated work platform located in the derrick (structure used to support machinery on a drilling rig). Fall fatalities occurred most frequently when drilling rigs were being assembled or disassembled at the well site (rigging up or rigging down) (14; 22%) or when workers were removing or inserting drill pipe into the wellbore (14; 22%). Measures that target derrickmen and workers engaged in assembling and disassembling drilling rigs (rigging up and down) could reduce falls in this industry. Companies should annually update their fall protection plans and ensure effective fall prevention programs are in place for workers at highest risk for falls, including providing trainings on proper use, fit, and inspection of personal protective equipment.

Sudden Deaths Among Oil and Gas Extraction Workers Resulting from Oxygen Deficiency and Inhalation of Hydrocarbon Gases and Vapors - United States, January 2010-March 2015.

In 2013, an occupational medicine physician from the University of California, San Francisco, contacted CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about two oil and gas extraction worker deaths in the western United States. The suspected cause of these deaths was exposure to hydrocarbon gases and vapors (HGVs) and oxygen (O2)-deficient atmospheres after opening the hatches of hydrocarbon storage tanks. The physician and experts from NIOSH and OSHA reviewed available fatality reports from January 2010 to March 2015, and identified seven additional deaths with similar characteristics (nine total deaths). Recommendations were made to industry and regulators regarding the hazards associated with opening hatches of tanks, and controls to reduce or eliminate the potential for HGV exposure were proposed. Health care professionals who treat or evaluate oil and gas workers need to be aware that workers might report symptoms of exposure to high concentrations of HGVs and possible O2 deficiency; employers and workers need to be aware of this hazard and know how to limit exposure. Medical examiners investigating the death of oil and gas workers who open tank hatches should consider the contribution of O2 deficiency and HGV exposure.

Motor vehicle fatalities among oil and gas extraction workers

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related fatality in the U.S. as well as in the oil and gas extraction industry. This study describes the characteristics of motor vehicle-related fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. It compares the risk of dying in a motor vehicle crash in this industry to other major industries and among different types and sizes of oil and gas extraction companies. There were 202 oil and gas extraction workers who died in a work-related motor vehicle crash from 2003 to 2009. The motor vehicle fatality rate for workers in this industry was 8.5 times that of all private wage and salary workers (7.6 vs. 0.9, p<.0001). Workers from small oil and gas establishments (<20 workers) and workers from well-servicing companies were at greatest risk of dying in a motor vehicle crash. Pick-up trucks were the most frequent type of vehicle occupied by the fatally injured worker (n=104, 51.5%). Safety belt non-use was identified in 38.1% (n=77) of the cases. Increased focus on motor vehicle safety in this industry is needed, in particular among small establishments. Extraction workers who drive light duty vehicles need to be a specific focus.

Mobility of the metacarpophalangeal joints in normal subjects and in rheumatoid patients.

<h3>Introduction</h3> Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure is considered as one of the most significant occupational health problems in the United States. Recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) field studies identified overexposure to RCS in oil and gas extraction workers, with exposures exceeding occupational RCS exposure levels by factors of 20 or more in sand moving and transfer belt operations. To facilitate on-site screening of workers to identify early (i.e., preclinical) biological responses to RCS exposure, there is a strong need for field-portable diagnostic instruments and methods, particularly for workers in mining, oil and gas extraction, and construction industries. <h3>Methods</h3> A portable analyzer for on-site biomonitoring using a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device was developed, and its performance in measurement of an inflammatory biomarker for inhalation of RCS aerosol was evaluated. <h3>Results</h3> The overall performance of the portable analyzer with the LOC device had accuracy and precision comparable to laboratory testing results. It runs on a LabView-based program that controls variable parameters: on/off sequence, reagent flow speed, pump run time and optical detection. The pump input to the LOC and a portable analyzer are coupled to the LOC device with PEEK tubing, for automated ELISA testing in the field. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This is the first field-portable analyzer capable of on-site screening of workers to identify early (i.e., preclinical) biological responses to RCS exposure. Our work supports application of the analyzer together with the developed LOC as a portable monitor for on-site detection of lung inflammation in workers exposed to RCS, with minimum user intervention. Development of a device for detecting exposure-related biomarkers of biological processes (e.g., inflammation) that are predictive of the pathogenicity of exposure to RCS and other airborne toxicants would offer an important new approach for silicosis prevention.