Fatal Occupational Injuries in Oil and Gas Extraction Industries: Comparing Outcomes of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Workers

Background: The Oil and Gas Extraction industries in the U.S. recorded a rate of 24.94 fatal work injuries per 100,000 workers in 2007, more than 6 times the all-worker rate of 3.8. Of the 528 fatal work injuries in this industry sector from 2003-2007, 106 (20 percent) involved Hispanic or Latino workers. The objective of this study was to examine the fatalities of Hispanic workers in the Oil and Gas Extraction industries over the five-year period from 2003 through 2007. Methods: Using the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, fatal injuries among Hispanic workers in the Oil and Gas Extraction industries (NAICS 211, 213111, 213112) were examined. Worker demographics, occupation types, and event circumstances were reviewed and evaluated. Results: In 2007, the rate of fatal injury in the Oil and Gas Extraction industries was 1.5 times higher for Hispanic workers (37.6 per 100,000 workers) than Non-Hispanic workers (22.6). Highway incidents and being struck by objects/equipment accounted for over half of the fatalities to Hispanic workers. Of the 106 fatal injuries involving Hispanic Oil and Gas Extraction workers, 72 (68 percent) occurred in Texas. Conclusion: Hispanic workers in Oil and Gas Extraction sector appear to be at a higher risk of fatal injury than non-Hispanic workers in the same industry. Understanding the nature of the events that led to the fatal injuries among this worker group may lead to interventions that can better protect the safety and health needs of these workers.