NEWSWATCH​
OIL AND GAS
Hazard Alert Warns of Dangers of Hot Work on Oilfield Equipment
A new hazard alert (
PDF
) published in late 2016 is intended to help employers and oilfield workers prevent fatalities associated with hot work on tanks, tankers, and related equipment. The alert was developed through OSHA’s alliance with NIOSH and the National Service, Transmission, Exploration and Production (STEPS) Network, an all-volunteer organization comprising safety and health professionals in the oil and gas industry. The hazard alert discusses actions employers must take to protect workers, including conducting exposure and hazard assessments; establishing safe work practices and procedures for hot work, confined-space work, and lockout/tagout work; and training workers on hazard control measures. The alert also outlines steps workers should take to help protect themselves, including following employer work practices and procedures, controlling potential ignition sources, and using required personal protective equipment and air monitoring devices.
According to OSHA, 28 workers were killed as a result of fires or explosions caused by hot work in oil and gas exploration and production operations between 2005 and 2015. More information on hot work and oil and gas well drilling and servicing is available on the agency’s
website
.
thesynergist​ | TOC | NEWSWATCH | DEPARTMENTS | COMMUNITY
thesynergist​ | TOC | NEWSWATCH | DEPARTMENTS | COMMUNITY