# 5 Reasons Oilfield Work Is So Dangerous | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals 2. Explosions and Fires 3. Heavy Machinery and Equipment 4. Harsh Weather 5. Worker Fatigue 6. Do You Need a Lawyer for an Oilfield Accident? 7. Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim ![5 Reasons Oilfield Work Is So Dangerous](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/5-Reasons-Oilfield-Work-Is-So-Dangerous-300x200.jpg) Texas leads the nation in the productivity of its oil and gas industry. It operates nearly half of the oil rigs in the United States. Altogether, the Texas oil industry [employs over 300,000 workers](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Texas-adds-more-than-2-000-oil-field-services-17295583.php/).  The oil and gas industry tends to pay better than most blue-collar work. Nevertheless, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), oilfield work [tends to be more dangerous than most jobs](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7305a3.htm). Accidents and [deaths](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/wrongful-death-lawyer/) occur at alarming rates. There are several reasons for this, including the following hazards.  ## Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Oilfield workers face frequent exposure to many dangerous chemicals. The most common culprits include hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), benzene, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Repeated exposure to these chemicals can cause a variety of chronic illnesses, including respiratory illness and neurological problems. In many cases the damage is irreversible.  Complicating matters further, some of these chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide, are difficult to detect even in high concentrations. Exposure often results from leaks, spills, and safety shortcuts taken by profit-hungry employers. Prolonged exposure to some toxic chemicals can result in chronic health problems that don’t surface until years after the last contact. This delay can make it difficult to win a lawsuit without the help of an experienced attorney.   For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Explosions and Fires Natural gas is highly flammable; so is crude oil and various other petroleum products. Welding, a spark from malfunctioning equipment, and even static electricity can trigger a deadly explosion. A blowout, which is an uncontrolled release of crude oil, natural gas, or drilling fluids, is a particularly catastrophic event that often kills several people at once.   Indeed, a blowout was what caused the [2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster](https://www.britannica.com/event/Deepwater-Horizon-oil-spill), which killed 11 oil workers and generated a fireball visible from 40 miles away.  ## Heavy Machinery and Equipment Oilfields use some of the most massive equipment ever built by human hands including oil rigs, drilling rigs, cranes, and pipelines. Mechanical failure, defectively designed or manufactured equipment, and human error all take their toll. Common accidents include: - [Slip and fall accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/slip-and-fall-accident-lawyer/) - Crushing accidents - “Struck-by” accidents where a worker gets hit by heavy machinery - Crane collapses Even moderate safety standards demand strict enforcement of safety regulations, regular inspections, employee protective gear, and thorough employee training. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Harsh Weather Oil companies extract oil wherever they can find it. Texas oilfield workers endure extreme heat, tornadoes, and [flash floods](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/are-you-prepared-for-a-flash-flood-your-safety-checklist/), among other weather-related hardships. Extreme weather subjects workers to a variety of hazards.  High winds, for example, can topple machinery, injuring or killing workers. In hot, dry climates like parts of Texas, workers may suffer from heat exhaustion, which can kill if not treated promptly. A hurricane or a tropical storm might strike an [offshore oil rig](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-do-offshore-oil-rigs-work/), resulting in structural failures and the emergency evacuation of workers. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## Worker Fatigue Greedy oil companies often push their workers to the limit to meet ambitious production quotas. Imagine the safety consequences of trying to do a dangerous job towards the end of a 16-hour shift, or on four hours of sleep.  Extreme fatigue works a lot like intoxication in its effect on judgment and reaction time. A fatigued oilfield worker might, for example, commit critical errors when operating heavy machinery that can put the lives of other workers in danger. ## Do You Need a Lawyer for an Oilfield Accident? [Oilfield accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/oilfield-accident-lawyer/) and illnesses tend to involve serious damages and large legal claims. [Workers’ comp might be an option](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/), but you could also have the chance to file a lawsuit for additional compensation. Either way, you probably need to talk to a lawyer to help you understand the true [value of your case](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-is-the-value-of-a-personal-injury-case-determined-in-texas/). Get started today by contacting an attorney for a free consultation.  ## Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Maritime Accidents Blog Posts: [![Offshore Drilling for Oil: How Does It Work Exactly?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/offshore-drilling-for-oil-how-does-it-work-exactly-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/offshore-drilling-for-oil-how-does-it-work-exactly/) [Offshore Drilling for Oil: How Does It Work Exactly?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/offshore-drilling-for-oil-how-does-it-work-exactly/) Roughly 30% of the world’s oil comes from offshore fields, but how exactly does it reach the surface? Offshore [![Largest Oil Rig Explosions in U.S. and Texas History ](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Largest-Oil-Rig-Explosions-in-U.S.-and-Texas-History-300x199.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/largest-oil-rig-explosions-in-us-and-texas-history/) [Largest Oil Rig Explosions in U.S. and Texas History](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/largest-oil-rig-explosions-in-us-and-texas-history/) The Gulf of Mexico has the most offshore oil rigs in the world. Texas has the most drilling rigs in the country, with [![Underwater & Hyperbaric Welding: What You Need to Know](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Underwater-Hyperbaric-Welding-What-You-Need-to-Know-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/underwater-hyperbaric-welding-what-you-need-to-know/) [Underwater Hyperbaric Welding: What You Need to Know](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/underwater-hyperbaric-welding-what-you-need-to-know/) Underwater welding is one of the most extreme (and hazardous) jobs in the world. It combines the danger of deep-sea [![The Jones Act: What It Means for Injured Maritime Workers in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-Jones-Act-What-It-Means-for-Injured-Maritime-Workers-in-Texas-300x201.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-jones-act-what-it-means-for-injured-maritime-workers-in-texas/) [The Jones Act: What It Means for Injured Maritime Workers in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-jones-act-what-it-means-for-injured-maritime-workers-in-texas/) Being injured on the job is challenging for anyone, but it can be especially complicated for maritime workers. If --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-reasons-oilfield-work-is-so-dangerous/