Repeated safety violations put oil rig workers at risk: what can you do if you are injured?

In the past five years, federal Mineral Management Service (MMS) officials investigated nearly 400 offshore incidents and documented almost 200 safety and environmental violations aboard oil platforms and oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. These include five deepwater well blowouts in the last 18 months.

These incidents were not minor events. They included flash fires caused by welding sparks, workers who fell dozens of feet through open holes that were unmarked, exploding compressors, and overloaded cranes that dropped their loads on workers.

BP, the Gulf’s leading offshore oil producer, reported the most accidents and blowouts. They had 47 incidents since 2005. Chevron, the third largest offshore oil producer in the region, reported 46 incidents. Shell, the second largest producer, reported 22 incidents in the five year period.

During the five year period, MMS officials investigated only about one-third of the reported incidents. They collected only 16 fines. BP and Chevron paid one fine each. Shell paid no fines.

The law allows MMS to fine a company up to $35,000 dollars per day for safety violations; however experts say that it is rare for large companies to pay any fines.

Unfortunately, this cavalier attitude means that companies can cut corners and endanger workers in order to save money. The problem is that saving money this way risks lives.

If you are an injured offshore worker, and you believe that shortcuts and safety violations made by your employer contributed to your injury, you have rights. Call The Young Firm at 866-938-6113 to learn more and request our free guide: Employee’s Guide to Maritime Injury Law. This booklet explains your rights after an offshore accident and what you can do if your employer is violating your right to a safe workplace and to compensation after an injury. If you have any questions, or believe you have a maritime injury case, contact our New Orleans maritime attorneys to schedule a free consultation.

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