In Wyoming, oil and gas jobs have become a major source of employment, but it is also an industry with a high number of fatal workplace accidents. One of the greatest dangers of working in the oil and gas industry is the risk of being exposed to volatile materials.

To give our readers a picture of what a work accident in this industry can be capable of, look no further than September of last year, when four Lincoln County workers were caught in a flash fire at a natural gas production facility. One worker died, and two others were critically injured.

Unfortunately, fatal workplace accidents in the oil and gas industry have been an issue for a long time in Wyoming. In 2009, the state put together a Workplace Safety Task Force that found safety procedures were being ignored by oil and gas companies.

The report also found that while Wyoming has one of the smallest populations in the country, it also has the highest workplace fatality rate. The problem became severe enough for lawmakers to consider adding additional fines to businesses that had fatal workplace accidents, but ultimately the legislation failed.

The issue of worker safety in this industry is important because workers can face traumatic brain injuries and burn injuries that make it impossible to work again.

Should Injured Workers Contact an Attorney?

Employees who have been injured and families who have lost loved ones have nothing to lose by contacting an attorney. In some cases, the use of unsafe equipment and conditions can be grounds for being awarded damages that can cover the immediate and long-term costs of injuries.

Metier Law Firm invites our readers to visit our website to learn more about options available to survivors of industrial work accidents. Accident survivors can consult with one of our attorneys at no cost to explore further options.

Metier Law Firm – Injury Attorneys Representing Clients Nationwide

Did You Know? In 2013, Wyoming’s petroleum industry directly employed 25,000 people, making it one of the largest providers of jobs in the state.