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Profile: Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing
Oil Gas Well Drilling and Servicing

Office of General Industry Enforcement
Table of Contents
Industry Group 138 - Oil and Gas Field Services

Process Description

The oil and gas well drilling and servicing industry was born in the United States in 1859 when the Drake Well outside Titusville, PA first struck oil. Since then this industry has evolved to become a vital part of the petroleum industry.

Oil and gas well drilling and servicing is part of Major Group 13 in the Standard Industrial Classifications (SIC). This classification is further defined by three subdivisions, including Industry Group 138 - Oil and Gas Field Services.

Industry Group 138 includes SIC 1381 - Drilling Oil and Gas Wells; SIC 1382 - Oil and Gas Field Exploration Services; and SIC 1389 Oil and Gas Field Services, Not Elsewhere Classified.

SIC 1381 includes establishments primarily engaged in drilling wells for oil or gas field operations for others on a contract or fee basis. This industry includes contractors that specialize in the following:
SIC 1382 includes establishments primarily engaged in performing geophysical, geological, and other exploration services for oil and gas on a contract or fee basis.
SIC 1389 includes establishments primarily engaged in performing oil and gas field services, not elsewhere classified, for others on a contract or fee basis. Services included are excavating slush pits and cellars; gradings and building of foundations at well locations; well surveying; running, cutting, and pulling casings tubes, and rods; cementing wells; shooting wells; perforating well casings; acidizing and chemically treating wells; and cleaning out, bailing, and swabbing wells. Establishments that have complete responsibility for operating oil and gas wells for others on a contract or fee basis are classified according to the product extracted rather than as oil and gas field services.
BLS Profile
Total Recordable Case Rate (Industry Group - 138)
Year Annual
1995 8.9
1996 7.7
1997 8.7
1998 5.7
1999 4.8
2000 5.8
2001 3.8
2002 4.5*
2003 4.0/0.5**
2004 6.8/2.7
graph: Total Recordable Case Rate
Lost Workday Case Rate (Industry Group - 138)
Year Annual
1995 5.5
1996 4.3
1997 5.4
1998 2.8
1999 2.4
2000 3.7
2001 2.1
2002 3.0*
2003 2.3/1.2**
2004 4.0/1.4
graph: Lost Workday Case Rate
class="blueBoldFourteen"Cases with Days Away Rate (Industry Group - 138)
Year Annual
1995 4.5
1996 2.8
1997 3.8
1998 1.9
1999 1.5
2000 3.0
2001 1.4
2002 2.1*
2003 1.5/0.6**
2004 2.8/0.9
graph: Cases with Days Away Rate

* Effective January 1, 2002, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised its requirements for recording occupational injuries and illnesses. Due to the revised recordkeeping rule, the estimates from the 2002 survey are not comparable with those from previous years, thus resulting in the discontinuous graph lines.

** Beginning with the 2003 reference year, the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses began using the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Prior to 2003, the survey used the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. The substantial differences between these systems result in breaks in series for industry data. SIC Group 138 encompasses NAICS groups 213111 and 213112. The rates for NAICS 213111 are represented by the red data series on the above charts, and the rates for NAICS 213112 are represented by the blue data series on the above charts.

Fatality Total for NAICS Groups 213111 (2004): 30
Fatality Total for NAICS Groups 213112 (2004): 39

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (National data)

National Summary by Region
NAICS 213111 & 213112
Regions Total Establishments
Establishments Employees
1 15 655
2 26 2076
3 109 3473
4 95 3975
5 101 6215
6 2246 160206
7 94 2885
8 183 6609
9 N/A N/A
10 2 33


N/A = Data not available
Establishment and employment counts come from Dunn & Bradstreet, June 2006

Inspection Summary
FY 2005
Federal OSHA Inspection Data
Industry Group 138
Federal Data Only I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X Total
Total Inspections
Records

Safety
Health		 0
0

0
0		 1
0

1
0		 39
0

8
31		 3
0

3
0		 2
0

2
0		 116
2

109
7		 2
0

2
0		 27
0

26
1		 1
0

1
0		 7
0

7
0		 198
2

159
39
Inspections By Type
Unprogrammed
  Accidents
  Complaints
  Referrals
  Monitoring
  Variance
  Follow-Up
  Unprog. Related
  Other

Programmed
  Planned
  Prog. Related
  Other
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

39
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
93
36
19
8
0
0
8
22
0

23
23
0
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
2
0
11
1
8
0
0
0
1
1
0

16
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

7
0
0
0
112
42
29
9
0
0
9
23
0

86
86
0
0
Source: IMIS Database


Top 10 Violations Cited
Standard # Cited # Insp. Description
1910.1200 62 35 Hazard Communication
1910.146 54 10 Permit-Required Confined Spaces
5(a)(1) 52 40 General Duty Clause (Section of OSHA Act)
1910.132 42 30 Personal Protective Equipment, General
1910.305 42 24 Wiring Methods, Components, and Equip. for General Use
1910.23 40 31 Guarding Floor & Wall Openings & Holes
1910.134 39 11 Respiratory Protection
1910.151 37 34 Medical Services & First Aid
1910.141 33 27 Sanitation
1910.157 30 26 Portable Fire Extinguishers
Source: IMIS Database - FY 2005 (Federal only).
Some Potential Hazards and Their Sources
Hazard Source
Struck by Falling/moving pipe; tongs and/or spinning chain, kelly, rotary table, etc.; high pressure hose connection failure causing employees to be struck by whipping hose; tools/debris dropped from elevated location in rig; vehicles
Caught in/Between Collars and tongs, spinning chain, and pipe; clothing gets caught in rotary table/drill string
Fire/Explosion/High Pressure release Well blowout, drilling/tripping out/swabbing etc. results in release of gas which might be ignited if not controlled at the surface; welding/cutting near combustible materials, uncontrolled ignition sources near the well head, e.g., heater in the doghouse, unapproved or poorly maintained electrical equipment; aboveground detonation of perforating gun
Rig Collapse Overloading beyond the rated capacity of the rig; improper anchoring/guying; improper raising and lowering the rig; existing maintenance issues with the rig structure which impacts the integrity
Falls Fall from elevated areas of the rig, i.e., stabbing boar, monkey board, ladder, etc.; fall from rig floor to grade
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Exposure H2S release during drilling, swabbing, perforating operations, etc. resulting in employee exposures; production tank gauging operations, gaugers sometimes exposed to H2S


Average Case and Demographic Characteristics
Average cases per year, 1995-2000 5,657
Demographics of worker Sex 98.5% men
Age 14.9% ages 20-24
38.3% ages 25-34
27.5% ages 35-44
15.1% ages 45-54
Length of service with
employer		 51.9% less than one year
26.7% 1-5 years
Race/ethnic origin 57.9% white non-Hispanic
24.6% Hispanic - any race
Characteristics of
injury/illness		 Days away from work 18.1% 1-5 days
34.6% 6-30 days
37.4% 31 or more days
Nature of
injury/illness		 32.9% sprains/strains
18.9% fractures
15.9% "all other" natures
11.3% bruises/contusions
Part of body affected 26.0% arms/wrists/hands/fingers
22.8% legs/knees/feet/toes
20.2% back
Source of
injury/illness		 31.1% parts/materials
15.1% floors/ground surfaces
14.0% "all other" sources
9.9% machinery
Event or exposure 23.0% struck by object
18.8% overexertion
12.2% caught in object/equipment/material
Source: OSHA Office of Statistical Analysis compilation of BLS data

Note: The percentages on this table do not sum to 100%.  Only the most frequently coded characteristics are listed.  The "All Other" category should not be interpreted as being all inclusive of the categories not listed above.
2003 BLS Industry Data for
NAICS 213111 - Drilling Oil and Gas Wells
All Reported Cases 880
Nature of Illness or Injury
Sprains, Strains
Fractures
Cuts, Punctures
Bruises
Heat Burns
Chemical Burns
Amputations
Carpal Tunnel
Tendonitis
Mult Trauma Total
Mult Trauma With Fracture
Mult Trauma With Sprain
Back Pain Total
Back Pain Hurt Back Only
All Other

 Number
190
230
N/A
110
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
20
N/A
250
   % Total
21.6
26.1
N/A
12.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.3
N/A
28.4
Part of Body Affected
Head Total
Eyes
Neck
Trunk Total
Trunk Back
Trunk Shoulder
Upper Extremities Total
Upper Extremities Finger
Upper Extremities Hand
Upper Extremities Wrist
Lower Extremities Total
Lower Extremities Knee
Lower Extremities Foot Toe
Body Systems
Multiple Body Parts
All Other Body Parts

 Number
N/A
N/A
N/A
340
130
60
230
90
N/A
N/A
200
N/A
70
N/A
N/A
N/A
 % Total
N/A
N/A
N/A
38.6
14.8
6.8
26.1
10.2
N/A
N/A
22.7
N/A
8.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
Source of Injury or Illness
Chem And Chem Products
Containers
Furniture And Fixtures
Machinery
Parts And Materials
Worker Motion
Floors Walkways
Handtools
Vehicle
Health Care Patient
All Other Sources

 Number
N/A
20
N/A
140
380
90
100
N/A
N/A
N/A
90
 % Total
N/A
2.3
N/A
15.9
43.2
10.2
11.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
Sex
Men
Women
Sex Not Reported

 Number
870
N/A
N/A
 % Total
98.9
N/A
N/A
Age
Under 14
14 to 15
16 to 19
20 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 And Over
Not Reported

 Number
N/A
N/A
N/A
100
350
190
200
N/A
N/A
N/A
 % Total
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
39.8
21.6
22.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
Race
White
Black
Asian
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
Hispanic or Latino and Others
Multirace
Not Reported

Number
610
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
120		 % Total
69.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.6
Length of Service
Less Than 3 Months
3 to 11 Months
1 to 5 years
More Than 5 Years
Service Not Reported

 Number
360
220
220
80
N/A
 % Total
40.9
25.0
25.0
9.1
N/A
Days away from work
1 Day
2 Days
3 to 5 Days
6 to 10 Days
11 to 20 Days
21 to 30 Days
31 Days Or More
Median Days Away

 Number
30
40
70
40
140
80
490
32
 % Total
3.4
4.5
8.0
4.5
15.9
9.1
55.7
N/A
Event/Exposure Leading to Injury
Total Contact With Objects
Struck By Object
Struck Against Object
Caught In Object
Fall to Lower Level
Fall On Same Level
Slips Or Trips
Overexertion Total
Overexertion In Lifting
Repetitive Motion
Exposure to Harmful Substance
Transportation Accidents
Fires And Explosions
Total Assaults - Violent Acts
Assaults by Person
All Other Assaults
All Other Events

 Number
430
250
N/A
150
20
120
N/A
190
90
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
80		 % Total
48.91
28.4
N/A
17.0
2.3
13.6
N/A
21.6
10.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
2003 BLS Industry Data for
NAICS 213112 - Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations
All Reported Cases 940
Nature of Illness or Injury
Sprains, Strains
Fractures
Cuts, Punctures
Bruises
Heat Burns
Chemical Burns
Amputations
Carpal Tunnel
Tendonitis
Mult Trauma Total
Mult Trauma With Fracture
Mult Trauma With Sprain
Back Pain Total
Back Pain Hurt Back Only
All Other

 Number
380
N/A
N/A
70
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
80
N/A
280
   % Total
40.4
N/A
N/A
7.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
N/A
29.8
Part of Body Affected
Head Total
Eyes
Neck
Trunk Total
Trunk Back
Trunk Shoulder
Upper Extremities Total
Upper Extremities Finger
Upper Extremities Hand
Upper Extremities Wrist
Lower Extremities Total
Lower Extremities Knee
Lower Extremities Foot Toe
Body Systems
Multiple Body Parts
All Other Body Parts

 Number
70
N/A
N/A
470
320
120
110
80
N/A
N/A
170
80
N/A
N/A
80
N/A
 % Total
7.4
N/A
N/A
50.0
34.0
12.8
11.7
8.5
N/A
N/A
18.1
8.5
N/A
N/A
8.5
N/A
Source of Injury or Illness
Chem And Chem Products
Containers
Furniture And Fixtures
Machinery
Parts And Materials
Worker Motion
Floors Walkways
Handtools
Vehicle
Health Care Patient
All Other Sources

 Number
N/A
N/A
N/A
110
410
N/A
100
N/A
80
N/A
120
 % Total
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
43.6
N/A
11.4
N/A
8.5
N/A
12.8
Sex
Men
Women
Sex Not Reported

 Number
940
N/A
N/A
 % Total
100.0
N/A
N/A
Age
Under 14
14 to 15
16 to 19
20 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 And Over
Not Reported

 Number
N/A
N/A
N/A
140
240
230
200
100
N/A
N/A
 % Total
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.9
25.5
24.5
21.3
10.6
N/A
N/A
Race
White
Black
Asian
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander Hispanic or Latino and Others
Multirace
Not Reported

Number
520
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
110		 % Total
55.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
Length of Service
Less Than 3 Months
3 to 11 Months
1 to 5 years
More Than 5 Years
Service Not Reported

 Number
150
290
380
120
N/A
 % Total
16.0
30.9
40.4
12.8
N/A
Days away from work
1 Day
2 Days
3 to 5 Days
6 to 10 Days
11 to 20 Days
21 to 30 Days
31 Days Or More
Median Days Away

 Number
50
50
80
80
140
N/A
500
31
 % Total
5.3
5.3
8.5
8.5
14.9
N/A
53.2
N/A
Event/Exposure Leading to Injury
Total Contact With Objects
Struck By Object
Struck Against Object
Caught In Object
Fall to Lower Level
Fall On Same Level
Slips Or Trips
Overexertion Total
Overexertion In Lifting
Repetitive Motion
Exposure to Harmful Substance
Transportation Accidents
Fires And Explosions
Total Assaults - Violent Acts
Assaults by Person
All Other Assaults
All Other Events

 Number
290
210
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
350
180
N/A
N/A
70
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A		 % Total
30.9
22.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
37.2
19.1
N/A
N/A
7.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Photo Credits
  1. Title page photos from OSHA website - Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/oilandgas/index.html)


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