Working in the oil and gas industry demands more than long hours and time away from home — it often requires a willingness to take serious risks. Whether onshore or offshore, oil rig workers face some of the most dangerous conditions of any profession in the country. In fact, the rate of fatalities in oil and gas extraction is seven times higher than the national average across all industries.
It’s one thing to know the job is dangerous. It’s another to decide whether the paycheck is worth the personal sacrifice. Oil rig jobs can be incredibly lucrative, offering higher wages than most positions requiring similar education or job experience. From entry-level roustabouts and wellhead pumpers to experienced independent contractors, those in oil and gas extraction earned an average of $50,000 to $171,000 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But that financial reward can come at a steep cost.
Read on to explore the real dangers oil and gas workers face every day — and how our undefeated Oilfield Accident & Injury Attorneys fight for injured workers and their families when the unthinkable happens.
The Demands of Rig Work
Life on an oil field is certainly no picnic. Both offshore and remote land rig work operate on a rhythm that probably seems alien to most professions. Workers typically face grueling shifts — often 12 hours on, 12 hours off — for weeks or even months at a time.
In addition to the hardship of working so many hours each day, the rotational schedule means extended periods away from home, family, and the normalcy of daily life on the mainland.
Workers live in close quarters with colleagues, separated from spouses, children, and friends, and missing holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant milestones. Yet, at the same time, they’re never really alone, and they lack the ability to get much in the way of personal space or escape.
Prolonged absences from family can strain personal relationships and take a mental toll, contributing to stress and fatigue that, in turn, increase the risk of oilfield accidents in what is an already hazardous work environment.
Beyond all of the above factors, rig work, by its very nature, is remarkably physically taxing. It involves heavy lifting, operating complex machinery, and sometimes intense exposure to the elements. The atmosphere is also loud and fierce, and it demands constant vigilance.
Confronting the Dangers of Working on an Oil Rig Daily
Rig workers open themselves up to significant dangers each day. The combination of heavy industrial equipment, flammable materials, high-pressure systems, and extreme weather conditions converges to create a potent mix of hazards.
Among all of these, some of the most common oil rig dangers include:
- Slips and falls from working at great heights and on slippery surfaces
- Struck-by and caught-between accidents, wherein someone is struck by an object or caught in pinch points
- Fires and explosions
- Equipment malfunction
- Chemical exposure
Oilfield accidents often lead to severe injuries, including amputations, burns, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries, all of which can be life-threatening.
Contact the Undefeated Oilfield Accident Attorneys from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today, Call 1-888-603-3636
For more information, please contact our undefeated oilfield accident attorneys in Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours