Oil and Gas Extraction Industry Workers' Compensation Claims and Proposed Safety Interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed Ohio workers' compensation data to identify potential prevention strategies for common oil and gas extraction industry claims.

METHODS

Claim rates for 2001-2018 were calculated per full-time equivalent employee. Descriptive analyses on free-text descriptions of lost-time (LT) claims (>7 days away from work) identified common characteristics among claims and injured workers.

RESULTS

Among 3134 claims, 860 (27%) were LT. The industry group, drilling contractors, experienced the highest LT claims rate, whereas the cost from servicing contractors was the highest. Contact with objects and equipment caused the highest LT claims rate. The most frequent LT occupation was roustabout, and the most frequent LT work activity was material handling. Transportation incidents caused most fatalities and hospitalizations. Over half of LT claims were from short-tenured workers.

CONCLUSIONS

Both proven and innovative approaches are needed to reduce severe workers' compensation claims in this industry.