Rising Risks: Heat-related Fatalities and Hospitalizations in the U.S. Upstream Oil and Gas Extraction Industry
Oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers, especially in southern and western Texas, face extreme heat conditions, with summer temperatures often surpassing 100°F. These workers endure physically demanding outdoor tasks for over 12 hours per shift, heightening their risk of heat stress.
A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigated the health and safety impacts of heat stress on U.S. OGE workers. Researchers analyzed two databases to understand serious heat-related illnesses and contributing risk factors. The NIOSH Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction (FOG) Database, covering 2014-2019, provided detailed information on worker fatalities, including demographics, temperatures, activities before death, heat-related symptoms, and other occupational risks.
Additionally, the OSHA Severe Injury Report Database was used to track worker hospitalizations due to heat from January 2015 to May 2021. This database offered insights into severe work-related injuries, including incident descriptions, industry classifications, and injury details.
For more information, click here.
Recent Posts
