Oil and Gas Extraction Industry Workers’ Compensation Claims and Proposed Safety Interventions

Abstract

Objective This study analyzed Ohio workers’ compensation (WC) data to identify potential prevention strategies for common Oil and Gas Extraction industry claims. Methods Claim rates for 2001-2018 were calculated per full-time equivalent employee. Descriptive analyses on free-text descriptions of lost-time (LT) claims (>7 days away from work) identified common characteristics among claims and injured workers. Results Among 3,134 claims, 860 (27%) were LT. The industry group, Drilling contractors, experienced the highest LT claims rate, while the cost from Servicing contractors was highest. Contact with objects and equipment caused the highest LT claims rate. The most frequent LT occupation was Roustabout and LT work activity was Material Handling. Transportation Incidents caused most fatalities and hospitalizations. Over half of LT claims were from short-tenured workers. Conclusions Both proven and innovative approaches are needed to reduce severe WC claims in this industry.