Stephen Schultz | July 11, 2025 | Personal Injury
Oil rig workers are incredibly important to the nation and its energy sector. While today’s oil rigs are much safer and more advanced compared to those of a few decades ago, they are by no means risk-free.
Every year, oil rig workers face a wide range of dangers that can lead to serious personal injuries. Here’s a closer look at the risks they face in St. Louis and how injured workers and their families can seek justice.
Why Are Oil Rigs So Hazardous?
Other than vehicle-related incidents, contact injuries and explosions have been identified as the most common causes of worker fatalities in the oil and gas industry.
So why is working on oil rigs so dangerous for workers?
Many factors play a role, including:
- Harmful and explosive chemicals
- Long hours
- Harsh conditions
- Heavy machinery
Together, these factors present a wide array of risks. The remote location of rigs also complicates emergency responses and may prevent injured workers from receiving timely medical care.
Common Risks on Oil Rigs
Oil rig workers encounter multiple dangers during any given shift. These hazards can include the following:
Fires and Explosions
Flammable materials like oil, gas, and hydrogen sulfide can ignite from sparks or equipment malfunctions. This makes burn injuries a top concern for oil rig workers. Not only are they detrimental to workers’ long-term health, but the road to recovery can be long and excruciating.
Treatment for severe burns often includes debridement, which involves removing damaged or dead tissue from the injury site. Even if injured workers are able to receive skilled care, they could be left with lifelong scars and debilitating pain. The emotional turmoil of suffering burns or surviving an explosion can be equally devastating.
Falls
Oil rig workers are often operating from elevated positions. They must contend with heights, unpredictable winds, and slippery surfaces. Despite their best efforts, they could still fall and suffer severe injuries or even death.
Virtually all of the surfaces on an oil rig are unforgiving, with few — if any — soft landing spots. The largely metal structure can wreak havoc on a person’s body when they slip from their work area.
Machinery Accidents
The heavy equipment on oil rigs can crush or strike workers. These impacts may cause a wide range of injuries, including traumatic brain injury.
Some other potential injuries caused by machinery accidents include:
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Death
The severity and nature of the injuries will vary depending on where a person is struck and what type of equipment is involved.
Chemical Exposure
Oil rig workers are tasked with using various chemicals, many of which can cause acute or long-term health effects. Unfortunately, even brief exposure to certain substances may lead to lifelong injuries or death.
It’s up to the company to maintain a safe work environment for employees and provide the proper equipment to reduce the risk of exposure to these substances.
Fatigue
While fatigue itself may not be a direct cause of injury for oil rig workers, it can be a major contributing factor. They work long shifts in tough conditions and may become too tired to be attentive and focused. When this happens, disaster can strike at any moment.
Legal Protections for Oil Workers
The good news is that federal regulations protect oil rig workers. While enforcing those rights after an injury can be an uphill climb, a personal injury attorney can be invaluable to oil rig workers and their families in pursuing justice after an accident.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Oil rig accidents can change your life in an instant. If you’ve been hurt on the job, call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers now to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis personal injury lawyer. We’ll review your case for free and help you take the next steps toward justice and recovery.
Personal Injury accidents can change your life in an instant. If you’ve been hurt in a [PRACTICE AREA], call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers now to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis personal injury attorney. We’ll review your case for free and help you take the next steps toward justice and recovery.
Contact the attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
319 N 4th Street
Suite 835
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 444-4444
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Ladue Office
9807 S 40 Dr
St. Louis, MO 63124
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Columbia Office
28 N 8th St # 502
Columbia, MO 65201
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
