ATLANTA -- 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 percent annually. To better understand risk factors for these events, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined fatal fall events in the oil and gas extraction industry during 2005-2014 using data from OSHA case investigations. A total of 63 fatal falls were identified, accounting for 15 percent of all fatal events.
Among fatal falls, 33 (52 percent) workers fell from a height of over 30 feet, and 22 (35 percent) fell from the derrick board, the elevated work platform in the support structure of a drilling rig. Fall fatalities occurred most frequently when drilling rigs were being assembled or disassembled at the well site, or when workers were removing or inserting drill pipe into the wellbore. Measures that target derrickmen and workers engaged in assembling and disassembling drilling rigs 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 PPE.
Fall protection equipment was required for the work being done by 54 (86 percent) of the 63 workers involved in fatal fall events. However, in 30 (56 percent) of these cases, the workers were either not using the equipment or it was not determined whether they were using it. Among the 24 fatally injured workers wearing personal fall protection equipment, 15 (63 percent) were not properly attached to an anchor, two (8 percent) were not wearing a properly fitted harness, and seven (29 percent) were wearing the proper harness and attached to an anchor, but the equipment failed because a retractable lifeline broke, a rope broke, the climbing assist device reportedly failed, or the tool ring pulled out of the harness stitching.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov or call (800) 232-4636.