Oil Rig Death Rate: How Many Workers Die on Oil Rigs Each Year and Why

Who is an Oil Rig Worker?

It is helpful before reviewing the statistics listed below to know who would be considered an “oil rig worker” for purposes of calculating the death rate of oil rig workers. There are various government agencies that compile data related to workplace deaths, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The BLS and CDC both report deaths within the larger category of “oil and gas extraction,” which refers to both offshore drilling rigs and onshore oilfield operations. Both types of operations pose unique dangers to workers. As stated previously, offshore workers are subject to special hazards caused by transportation via helicopters/boats, remote locations and limited access to emergency services.

Onshore workers face somewhat different hazards, primarily those involving transportation to/from remote areas and differing environmental conditions at their workplaces. Regardless, all employees within the “oil and gas extraction” category are exposed to similar hazards including high-pressured equipment, flammable hydrocarbons and heavy machinery.

Roughnecks (those performing physically laborious tasks on the drilling rig), drill operators, well-service technicians, engineers and numerous contractors (who perform specialized services to support the drilling process) are examples of “employees within the oil and gas extraction category.” therefore, when statistics indicate that there were x number of “fatalities among oil and gas extraction workers,” it encompasses all classifications of workers described above, not merely offshore drilling personnel.

Why does it matter?

While it may seem insignificant to separate onshore/offshore statistics in regard to employee fatalities, this distinction has practical implications. Often, studies group both onshore/offshore deaths in the aggregate. We will note when individual studies separately categorize onshore and/or offshore worker fatalities.
 

Death rate statistics amongst oil rig workers – most recent data

Although statistics clearly illustrate that working on an oil rig is a significantly more hazardous profession than nearly every other profession; however, while the industry has made substantial strides toward improved safety over the last twenty years:

Statistics at a glance

What do the numbers mean?

As shown above, an Oil Rig Worker is almost five times more likely to be fatally injured on-the-job than an average American worker at today’s 2022 rate of 14.2 deaths per 100,000 workers. As further illustrated by the CDC’s study on oil/gas worker fatalities from 2003-2010, during that period an oil rig worker was more than seven times more likely to be fatally injured than an average American worker.

Texas accounted for the greatest portion of total fatalities in america, since many large producing fields including the Permian Basin are located in Texas. The smaller population in north dakota coupled with an exceptionally high-fatality rate represents a direct result of the rapid development of the Bakken shale region. Due to its relatively rapid development, safety infrastructure in many areas lagged behind production activity.
 

How many oil rig workers die each year?

Unfortunately, no one simple number exists to answer this question as it varies depending upon the timeframe examined, and whether offshore/onshore fatalities are grouped together. Based on data provided by the CDC regarding worker fatalities in the oil/gas extraction category from 2003-2013, approximately 108 workers died annually. Using more recent data from 2018-2023 indicating an approximate annual death toll of 78-94 workers indicates that annual death counts have decreased as a result of increased safety measures implemented by the industry as well as changes in workforce sizes.
 

Causes of fatal accidents at oil rigs

Statistics are dramatic, but they do not illustrate what is occurring at these worksites. The primary sources of fatal injuries at oil rigs consist of the following categories.

Transportation-related incidents represent the majority of fatal accidents experienced by oil/gas extraction workers. Transportation-related incidents account for between 40-51% of all oil/gas extraction worker fatalities. Examples of Transportation-related incidents include vehicle collisions on remote roads servicing oil/gas sites; helicopter accidents while transporting workers to and from offshore drilling platforms; and boat accidents. Long trips across sparsely populated land often occur after extended hours of operation (e.g., 12 hour shifts). Under these circumstances, a sleepy driver operating a pick-up truck down a deserted rural road at night poses a real threat to life.

Equipment strikes/knocks/moves/rolls-over are responsible for approximately 16-22% of all fatal accidents experienced by oil/gas extraction workers. Drilling rigs utilize massive pipes; heavy-duty equipment operates under extreme pressures; and equipment failures often occur suddenly with minimal notice.

Explosions/fire/blow-outs account for approximately 13-14% of all fatal accidents experienced by oil/gas extraction workers. Blow-out related incidents commonly generate extensive media coverage when they occur. Despite advances in blow-out prevention technologies; explosions/fire/blow-outs remain a persistent threat to oil/gas extraction workers.

Exposures to toxic substances and falls each account for approximately 8-9% of all fatal accidents experienced by oil/gas extraction workers. Hydrogen sulfide is particularly hazardous as it is odorless/colorless/toxic at extremely low concentrations. Additionally hydrogen sulfide is capable of rapidly incapacitating an oil/gas extraction worker at lethal concentrations.
 

Factors that contribute to hazardous conditions experienced by oil/gas extraction workers:

Fatigue resulting from extended periods working non-traditional schedules (e.g., two weeks consecutive work followed by two weeks off); extended duration (up to twelve hours/day) work shifts; and extended durations between rest breaks/sleep periods contribute substantially to impaired decision-making/judgment/reaction times for many oil/gas extraction workers.

Isolation/distance from medical care/hospitals; combined with emergency response timeframes being insufficient to save lives; pose additional threats to the health/well-being/oil/gas extraction workers.

Pressurized systems used in extracting oil/gas; equipment failure can be instantaneous/catastrophic; and equipment failure can occur unexpectedly.

Flammable/toxic chemicals utilized in extracting oil/gas (e.g., crude oil/natural gas-associated chemicals); handling these materials by oil/gas extraction workers creates hazards not only to themselves but to others nearby.

Confining spaces (e.g., storage tanks/vessels/etc.) create potentially lethal atmospheres where toxic gases can build up without warning.

Pressure to meet operational deadlines often requires simultaneous execution of multiple processes/tasks concurrently.