NIOSH Program Portfolio

Oil and Gas Extraction

Inputs: Emerging Issues

Historically, increased drilling activity has corresponded with increases in the rate of fatal injuries in this subsector. In this time of high demand for oil and gas and shortages of trained workers, this subsector faces several challenges in maintaining a safe work environment. Employees in this industry often work 8- or 12-hour shifts, for 7 or 14 days in a row. Workers at off-shore or remote facilities, like the North Slope of Alaska, live in camps at or near the worksite. Shortages of trained workers have led to instances of employees working more than 14 days without a day off. Both fatigue and lack of training can pose risks to individual workers and their coworkers.

NIOSH Program:

Oil and Gas Extraction

Program Description
Inputs
• Sector Description
• Economic Factors
• Occupational Risks
• National Research Agenda (NORA)
• NIOSH Strategic Goals
• Emerging Issues
• Partners
• NIOSH Contacts
Activities
• NIOSH Research Projects
Outputs
• Publications
• Topic Pages
• Products
• Research to Practice