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John Joswiak January 13, 2022

Primary Hazards & Solutions Found in the Oil & Gas Industry

Oil & Gas and other energy workers encounter countless risks on the job due to the multitude of specific tasks they perform daily. Constant hazards include heavy equipment, sharp objects, and flammable or toxic liquids and gases. This means high potential for injuries from crushing impact, cut or flame, ailments caused by exposure to chemicals and oil, and even muscle and joint strain from long shifts. Mitigating these risks begins with protocols driven by the Oil & Gas safety culture and ends with each worker’s proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including specialty impact, cut and oil-resistant gloves.

Jobs in the Oil & Gas industry are some of the most hazardous in the world. In addition to fire and explosion risks, which require full body protection, there are certain risks specific to hands and fingers that workers face on a regular basis. While fire and explosions are the third most common cause of fatal work injuries in the industry, hand and finger injuries make up nearly 50 percent of all incidents. At times that number is closer to 80 percent of all recordable incidents. Hands and fingers have more nerve endings per square centimeter than any part of the human body and more pain receptors than any other part of our bodies. As a result, hand related injuries are more painful than similar injuries to other parts of the body. Having the proper hand and body protection is of extreme importance to minimize injuries and fatalities associated to the common impact, chemical, and fire hazards in the Oil & Gas industry. For protection against the risk of cut, impact, chemical splash, fire, repetitive movements, and other hazards in the oil & gas industry, Ansell provides a wide range of best-in-class solutions.

Oil & Gas

High visibility, waterproof, impact-absorbing, chemical resistant, high durability, high dexterity and better grip are just some of the common features of gloves used in the Oil & Gas industry. High performance PPE hand protection is required for medium to heavy-duty tasks. Such tasks include the use of hand tools, pipe handling, valve operation, where “struck by” and “caught between objects” tend to be the source of recordable incidents. Handling and positioning of heavy equipment often result in trapped or crushed fingers and hands. Flash fires, while less common, are just as serious as most hazards and result in extreme thermal injuries when fire resistant body protection is not worn. Despite the efforts by oil & gas companies, the industry statistic indicates that number of hand and finger injuries are increasing year over year. Ansell‘s extensive portfolio of hand and body protection ensures the safety of oil & gas workers and the products they handle.