To Reduce Oil and Gas Extraction Hazards, Turn to Engineering Controls -- Occupational Health & Safety

To Reduce Oil and Gas Extraction Hazards, Turn to Engineering Controls

The oil and gas extraction industry is vital to our nation’s economy, but the work can be extremely hazardous. Vehicle incidents and contact with objects and equipment are the major causes of occupational fatalities in this industry. Drilling contractors and servicing contractors have the highest rates of days-away-from-work cases in this industry, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When hazards cannot be eliminated or substitutions made, the most preferable way to control the hazard is with an engineering control. Engineering controls can take many different forms, including ventilation, lifting assist devices, automation of operations, enclosures, and selection of improved materials. With significant and ongoing effort by workers and supervisors, suitable administrative controls and personal protective equipment can also help to control hazards.

Speaker:

Barbara Alexander has worked for NIOSH for 8 years in the Engineering and Physical Hazards branch. She has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Environmental and Industrial Hygiene, and she is a Professional Engineer and Certified Industrial Hygienist. Before coming to NIOSH, she worked in the nuclear industry and in the chemical industry. At NIOSH, she has been involved in the responses to Ebola and to COVID-19. Her projects have included measuring exposures and developing engineering controls for the oil and gas extraction industry, developing and testing dry decontamination systems for firefighters and for mass casualty events, investigating exposures to peracetic acid, and researching health and safety for landscapers and grounds management professionals. She has authored seven articles on her NIOSH research in the peer-reviewed literature and has presented her research at multiple national conferences.

Sponsors:

Moldex is proud to be a provider of comfortable, durable, cost effective and effective personal protective equipment for industrial end users, healthcare personnel, first responders, critical infrastructure and those on the front lines. Whether in a time of crisis or calm users can depend on Moldex to deliver on their promise – Ideas that wear well. www.moldex.com

Fabenco by Tractel® offers a complete line of OSHA-compliant safety solutions specifically designed for: Fall Protection, Access Control, Machine Guarding, Pedestrian Traffic Management, and Security. The safety specialists at Fabenco by Tractel® will work with you to identify the right solutions for your needs and help ensure that your facility is both safe and compliant. https://www.tractel.com

Westex®: A Milliken Brand creates flame-resistant and arc-rated (FR/AR) textiles recognized for unmatched quality, comfort and proven performance. With a legacy dating back to 1941, our life-saving materials and technologies are the trusted last line of defense for hardworking men and women across the utility, oil and gas, electrical maintenance and metals industries. http://www.westex.com/

Mechanix Wear®, an industry-favorite when it comes to hand protection, recently acquired Chicago Protective Apparel – the 108-year-old manufacturer known for their extensive line of over 20,000 products for arc flash, foundry, and welding applications. The combination of these trusted companies with loyal followings means even greater innovation and advancements in PPE. See their first release here. https://safety.mechanix.com/

To Reduce Oil and Gas Extraction Hazards, Turn to Engineering Controls

Duration: 1 Hour