Index.php?title=Course:SPPH381B/TermProject/Tylenol -Alex Kitt/Drilling/Struck-By Accidents

Struck-by Hazards One of the most common causes of death in the crude oil and gas extraction industry is struck-by/caught-in/caught-between hazards, causing 60% of all occupational fatalities in the industry (1). These hazards involve being hit or stuck between objects, such as vehicles and equipment (2).

Struck-by hazards can be further divided into four sub-sections: struck-by a falling object, struck-by a swinging object, struck-by a falling object, and struck-by a rolling object (3). OSHA identifies the following processes as potential causes of struck-by hazards (2): ¥ “Moving pipe and casing ¥ Using tongs and spinning chain ¥ Falling overhead objects ¥ Working around mobile equipment ¥ Loads being moved ¥ Improper use of hand tools ¥ Whipping pressurized lines ¥ Using elevators ¥ Using turnbuckles and load strapping”

Control Strategies Elimination Unfortunately, it is very difficult to completely eliminate struck-by hazards, as the equipment is necessary for the extraction process.

Substitution Similar to elimination, the machinery used in crude oil extraction is often necessary for the industry and thus cannot be easily substituted. However, if machinery does not meet requirements for industry regulations, then it must be substituted for appropriate equipment.

Engineering Controls One of the most frequently used engineering controls involves barricading certain areas off from workers. For example, areas within the swing radius of cranes (which can cause struck-by swinging object injuries) or below workplaces (in which objects could fall from) are blocked off, so that the worker does not accidentally enter an area of high-risk (3). One example of this was when a 36-year-old man was killed by being hit by the boom of a crane in North Dakoda in 2016 (6). This accident would likely not have occurred has the area been blocked off.

Furthermore, struck-by flying object hazards also pose a threat. Engineering controls for these hazards includes proper safety guards which act as shields for workers. One example of this is the abrasive wheel machinery, which is used at most oil well drilling sites and is frequently a source of OSHA violations (4). While there are specific regulations for the side guards, which serve to protect the worker, these are not always followed (4). If the abrasive wheel machinery does not satisfy the requirements, there is a risk of struck-by accidents as the abrasive wheel can shatter under high stress. The resulting flying pieces can travel at speeds up to 300mph, and thus it is important that the wheel is covered by a safeguard as is demonstrated in Figure ___ (5).

It is also important that the safeguard is made of a material that will be able to withstand potential abrasive wheel shattering. In 2011, a man was killed at the Advantage Powder Coating, Inc., in which the abrasive wheel shattered under high stress and pieces broke through the safeguard (7). While this accident did not occur at an oil well, similar machinery was used, and thus it is also important at oil well drilling sites to ensure proper safeguards on abrasive wheel machinery.

Lastly, an increase in automation of techniques could decrease worker exposure to certain hazardous machinery. According to the Center for Disease Control, there was a significant decrease in struck-by fatalities between 2003-2013, which may have been caused by an increase of mechanization in techniques during this time period (8).

Administrative Controls A large component of controlling hazards in the oil well drilling industry focuses on administrative controls, as it is difficult to eliminate or substitute hazardous machinery and processes that are essential to the industry.

One important technique is using appropriate signs, warning workers of entering hazardous areas such as under a crane (risk of struck-by falling and flying objects accident) or areas where excavators and other large vehicles drive through (risk of struck-by rolling objects) (3).

Another aspect of administrative controls the monitoring and maintenance of equipment. Without this, machinery is more likely to break without notice, possibly causing injury to workers. For example, a rusted, dry, and brittle rig line broke while being used to pull well casting, causing the load block to fall onto a worker and fatally crush him (9).

Since the tools and machinery used are often very technical and hazardous, effective communication and training are key to preventing injury. However, one of the most common penalties assigned by OSHA to workers involves inadequate hazard communication, which includes employee training and a Hazard Communication Program (4). Job-specific training is particularly important in preventing injuries, particularly for new employees, as over half (53.4%) of fatal injuries in the US occurred within the employee’s first year of employment (10).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Typical PPE for oil well drilling often includes hard hats, gloves, and ear protection (2). However, each specialized task requires a specific set of equipment, and may include eye and face protection (intended to shield from flying objects) and other gear, as seen below in Figure ____(11)

However, due to the large mass of the objects typically involved in struck-by events, PPE is generally not adequate in protecting the worker.

Sources 1) https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/oilgaswelldrilling/safetyhazards.html#struck 2) OSHA's Harwood Grant Training Materials. 3) http://www.ishn.com/articles/96330-how-to-prevent-struck-by-and-caught-in-hazards-from-causing-injuries 4) https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2015/06/01/Keeping-Oil-and-Gas-Workers-Safe-and-Avoiding-Costly-Penalties.aspx?Page=2 5) https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/sites/ehs.harvard.edu/files/machine_shop_safety_osha_guidance_abrasive_wheel_grinder.pdf 6) https://thomasjhenrylaw.com/oil-worker-killed-when-hit-by-crane/ 7) https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=202089553 8) https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6420a4.htm 9) https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA-FF-3615.pdf 10) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4469339/ 11) www.honeywellsafety.com/Supplementary/Documents_and_Downloads/.../1033.aspx