One of the primary reasons for oil rig explosions is due to some form of negligence. Negligence could consist of one or more factors. Depending on the extent of the explosion, serious injuries and the loss of life can and does occur. Some of the potential hazards found on oil rigs which could result in an explosion include:
- Not following proper safety protocols
- Electrical wiring and equipment not grounded correctly
- Equipment failure
- Failure to perform maintenance on the rig, equipment, and safety systems
- Leaking pipes, hoses, and pipelines
- Defective battery sand ventilation systems
- Defective fire safety systems
- Improperly trained or inexperienced crew members
When an explosion does occur, it is often discovered there were multiple negligent factors that contributed to the accident. For instance, the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 is considered one of the worst oil rig explosions in recent years. Some of the contributing negligent factors which resulted in the explosion include:
- Faulty Equipment: Both valves failed to function correctly. The backup battery for the blowout preventer and switching mechanism were also defective and failed to operate.
- Inadequate Safety Equipment: There was a gas alarm onboard, and the system responsible for preventing gas from reach various parts of the rig failed.
- Improper Cement Mixture: The cement used to seal the well was not formulated correctly, so it did not work how it should.
- Crew Errors: The first error the crew made was not interpreting pressure tests from the well correctly to determine if it was sealed. The next error the crew made was routing the mud and gas coming up from the well into a separator device rather than away from the rig.
The hazards and risks associated with working on an oil rig can be reduced with proper employee training, regular maintenance, and safety drills. Even with these things, accidents can and still do occur.
When an oil rig explosion or other accident occurs which injures crew members, they have rights under the Jones Act and other maritime laws. These protections help ensure they receive compensation for their injuries or death.
To find out more about your rights and filing a claim, please feel free to contact Maintenance and Cure, part of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., at 800-836-5830 to speak with an offshore injury attorney today!
