The oil and gas industries employ almost 10 million Americans and account for nearly 10% of the entire American gross national product (GNP). Although long-term, many companies are looking toward solar energy or other alternative sources of fuel, the fact is that current oil production will satisfy global need for at least the next 50 years.
There are over 300 billion barrels of oil in reserve, and production continues worldwide. Oilfield equipment is doing great business, and the focus in the oil industry remains on safety, and for good reason. Whether located on land or off shore, safety protocols have to be established, reviewed and followed for the safety of workers, who can pull long hours.
These workers often deal with isolation and harsh climates, and to combat these factors, companies provide comprehensive training in safety procedures, training in working with oilfield equipment, and make sure that their workers utilize all safety equipment, including specialized clothing.
With offshore oil production making up about one-third of all the oil production in the world, these safety procedures are vital and are comprehensively followed. Workers on offshore oil rigs use oilfield equipment that is altered for offshore use, and can be drilling hundreds of miles from shore, in water that is over a mile and a half deep.
Trailers and hoists must be checked regularly, and tanks and pumps must be put through stress tests to make sure that they are fit for use. Offshore oil equipment often sees heavy use and all oil and gas drilling companies have substantial safety measures in place and have employees whose sole job description is to oversee the implementation of safety protocols and to ensure worker safety.
Overseeing production on an offshore drilling site and maintaining production quotas while keeping a rigorous eye on workers’ safety and job satisfaction can be demanding, but oil and gas companies continue to prioritize worker safety — especially in remote locations that can sometimes have difficult working conditions.
