San Antonio Legal Blog

With the many other hazards on the Texas oil fields, the risks that dropped objects pose may not receive enough attention. Work activities on multiple levels are par for the course on drilling sites, and those who work at lower elevations are often the victims of dropped-object injuries. Even small objects like nuts or bolts can be deadly missiles if dropped from high work platforms.

Dropped objects could include equipment and tools or materials mishandled or dropped by workers or left lying around at shift changes or the completion of tasks. They can also be parts or equipment that become detached from their mountings on overhead equipment.

Many people experience lower back pain as a result of their professions, which can lead to sciatica. Sciatica is a painful condition that has numerous causes, including spinal stenosis and herniated discs. The Mayo Clinic offers the following information on sciatica so you can take the proper steps to get relief. 

The sciatic nerve starts at the lower back and runs down each leg. When this nerve is compressed, a group of painful symptoms emerges. People experiencing sciatica often have pain that starts in the lower back and radiates the length of one leg, as having pain in both legs is rare with this condition. Some people feel a dull ache while others experience intense pain. Pain can occur when standing, sitting, or lying down. Pain can also occur with a sudden movement. Muscle weakness and a numb feeling are also common with sciatica. 

On the road, motorcyclists may encounter a number of hazards. Sometimes, these risk factors are the result of a driver’s negligence, such as a large truck driver going too fast or operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, some hazards are a result of poor weather, such as heavy rainfall. Rain can be very dangerous for a number of reasons, since it may not only lead to slick road conditions but may impact visibility as well. Moreover, rain can hit unexpectedly, which may be problematic for motorcyclists who go on long rides to other parts of the state.

It may be smart to stay off of the road if rain or other adverse weather is expected, and many motorcyclists prefer to ride during nicer weather. However, some may not realize that rain is expected, or they may even need to ride their motorcycle regardless of the weather. Not only can rain pose dangers for motorcyclists when no other vehicles are involved, but it may also increase the chances of another driver colliding with a motorcyclist. For example, someone operating a passenger vehicle may lose control while driving around a sharp turn at high speeds when the roads are wet, or their visibility is affected by heavy rain.

Within the oil and gas industry, the risk of a flash fire is quite high. Flash fires occur when flammable chemicals within the air suddenly ignite, which can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening injuries. While it's up to the management of an oilfield to do all they can to prevent flash fires from occurring, workers should also keep the following points in mind.

Firstly, there is a difference between these types of fires and what are known as fuel-fed fires. Flash fires can be intense but are usually short in duration. Conversely, fuel-fed fires continue to burn until the fuel feeding the fire has been depleted. For a flash fire to occur, three components must be in place. These are a heat source, fuel, and oxygen. The heat source can be anything from an engine to sparks from welding equipment.