Energy workers encounter countless risks on the job due to the multitude of specific tasks they perform daily. Mitigating these risks begins with protocols driven by the energy safety culture and ends with donning proper PPE, including specialty impact, chemical, cut, oil, and electrical gloves. While fire and explosions are the third most common cause of fatal work injuries in the industry, historically, hand and finger injuries make up nearly 50 percent of all incidents. At times that number is closer to 80 percent of all recordable incidents. Having the proper hand and body protection is of extreme importance to minimize injuries and fatalities. For protection against the risk of cut, impact, chemical splash, fire, and other hazards in the energy industry, Ansell provides a wide range of best-in-class solutions.
At Ansell, we are committed to protecting all those who work in the energy industry. We go beyond regulatory compliance to ensure our product portfolio fully protects against the specific hazards these workers face. Identify hazards and reduce workplace injuries with a no cost AnsellGuardian assessment.
High visibility, waterproof, impact-absorbing, chemical resistant, high durability, high dexterity, and better grip are features of gloves used in the energy industry. High performance PPE hand protection are required for medium to heavy-duty tasks. Such tasks include the use of hand tools, pipe handling, value operation, where “struck by” and “caught between objects” tend to be the source of recordable incidents. Handling and positioning of heavy equipment often result in trapped or crushed fingers and hands. Flash fires, while less common, are just as serious as most result in extreme thermal injuries when fire resistant body protection is not worn. Despite efforts by energy companies, specifically those in the oil and gas sector, industry statistics indicates that the number of hand and finger injuries are increasing year over year. Ansell’s extensive portfolio of hand and body protection ensures the safety of energy workers and the products they handle.
The main segments of the energy industry include Upstream oil and gas, Downstream oil and gas, and renewable energy. Understanding the key activities and hazards in each segment will lead to a safer and more protected workplace.
Upstream oil and gas is the second largest sector of the energy industry. Upstream encompasses activities related to searching for, recovering, and producing crude and natural gas. The three key Upstream activities include exploration, drilling, and unconventional drilling.
Offshore is an operational segment of Upstream oil and gas. Offshore is the process of drilling for oil and gas underseas. Extraction, transportation, and environmental protection are all comparatively more difficult in this environment.
Downstream oil and gas is the largest segment of the energy industry. Downstream supplies thousands of products to end users across the globe. The Downstream industry includes complex and diverse activities including manufacturing, refining, and distribution and retail of the oil and gas.
Local and federal governments are encouraging greener energy solutions to better our environment, for today and the future. Using renewable energy reduces carbon emissions in the atmosphere through a more sustainable energy system.
The renewable energy segment is the fastest-growing segment of the industry. Renewable energy is defined as “energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.1
Solar power and wind power have the first and second largest impacts within the renewable energy industry, respectively. Workers in these fields need to be protected during the installation, construction, operations, and maintenance of this energy. Ansell supplies the right Multi-Purpose, Electrical, and Disposable protections for the task.
When working in areas where high-risk activities are performed daily, hands may easily be exposed to hazards of crush and pinch impacts. High-performance hand protection is required for medium to heavy-duty tasks including the use of hand tools, pipe handling, valve operation, or positioning of heavy equipment. With our proprietary Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) design, these gloves provide maximum coverage of the full length of the fingers, thumb, and back of hand all while maintaining maximum durability, dexterity, and comfort.
Workers in the energy industry face the risk of fire and explosion due to ignition of flammable vapors or gases. Flammable gases, such as well gases, vapors, and hydrogen sulfide, can be released from wells, trucks, production equipment or surface equipment such as tanks and shale shakers. Ignition sources can include static, electrical energy sources, open flames, lightning, cigarettes, cutting and welding tools, hot surfaces, and frictional heat.
Workers might be exposed to uncontrolled electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or other sources of hazardous energy if equipment is not designed, installed, and maintained properly. Electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread workplace hazard. Many workers are exposed to electrical energy while completing their daily responsibilities, and many are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment – making them vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.
When working at the wellsite, during transportation of fluids, or even at the shop, oil and gas workers are exposed to oils such as hydraulic fluids. Workers need surface barrier protection to prevent oils and other lubricants from making contact with the skin as well as enhanced grip to mitigate muscle fatigue and proper handling of medium to heavy duty tools and equipment.
Workers who use hazardous chemicals during work processes, for example during hydraulic fracturing, might be exposed to hazardous byproducts of oil and gas drilling. Possible hazards include chemical burns from caustic substances and toxic vapors.
It is also important to know the potential means for contamination, such as vapors, spray, splash and immersion; and the route of exposure to the workers, such as inhalation or skin absorption.
Well-site workers are exposed to extreme temperatures and should take precautions to stay safe. Dressing properly is extremely important to preventing cold or heat stress. The type of fabric worn also makes a difference. Cotton loses its insulation value when it becomes wet. Wool, silk, and most synthetics, on the other hand, retain their insulation even when wet. Just as important as having the proper body apparel, using the right hand protection for any given environment, such as knit, cotton, insulated or water-resistant gloves is just as crucial to mitigate the effects of cold or heat related hazards.
Workers in the Energy industry are exposed to punctures and cuts via sharp objects, including razor blades, sharp steel edges, and dangerous tools and machinery. These hazards are prominent during the machining, assembly, installation, operation, and field repair of oil field assets. PPE plays an important role in reducing the risk of cuts and catching infectious diseases. Full protection of the hand and arm can be achieved with the right sleeve and glove combination.
Ansell’s cut resistant gloves are made with innovative technologies to provide outstanding cut protection with enhanced dexterity, grip, and comfort.
Vibration in the workplace is generally classified as hand-arm vibration, which is transmitted through the use of hand-held power equipment like impact drills and air powered wrenches. Prolonged exposure can lead to damage to the hand and arm muscles (hand-arm vibration syndrome). The main concerns are therefore the magnitude of vibration transmitted and the duration of exposure.
In addition to muscle fatigue due to vibration, musculoskeletal injuries are often caused by repetitive movements, overexertion of the muscle, and improper positioning while working. Selecting the right PPE can help reduce the risks of damage to muscles, bones, & joints.
The most appropriate PPE solutions to protect against hazards will vary based on each individual company’s unique set of needs, applications, and processes. AnsellGUARDIAN® is our consultative service to help companies select and implement the right PPE solutions to improve safety, increase productivity, and reduce costs. Using our 130 years of experience, proprietary software system, and database of over 30,000 chemicals, we have implemented PPE recommendations in 15,000 facilities worldwide.
There is no cost for an AnsellGUARDIAN® assessment. Request assessment now.
The Ansell 360° Experience for Oil & Gas is a virtual tour of the industry. When entering the experience, click and drag with your mouse to explore the environment. There are four environments to explore from the start: Upstream Offshore, Upstream Onshore, Midstream, and Downstream. Click on an icon to explore further. Each environment contains common tasks and hazards that workers experience in the industry. Clicking on a hazard icon will reveal Ansell Safety Solutions for each hazard.
Click here to view the virtual tour in full screen.
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