Tulsa Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Different hazards pose different types of health risks to employees in all industries across Oklahoma. Not all workplace injuries are noticeable, and while open wounds and fractured bones happen in all workplaces, injuries such as hearing loss are also prevalent but often disregarded. However, cuts and broken bones can heal while hearing loss is permanent, and for this reason, safety agencies advise more hearing conservation.

Although some industries are known to produce excessive noise that threatens employees, researchers recently reported that AFFH industries pose significant hearing-loss hazards. This industry sector comprises of agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting within which the hearing tests of 17,300 employees were analyzed. Researchers say a significant percentage of those had suffered noise-related hearing loss.

Oklahoma, like other states, requires employers to carry workers' compensation insurance. Victims of workplace injuries can typically claim benefits to cover doctors' bills, hospital stays, physical therapy and other medical expenses. Compensation is usually also available for a portion of lost wages, along with vocational rehabilitation for those whose injuries caused disabilities that prevent them from returning to their usual occupations.

Although the list of possible accidents across all industries is endless, some types of injuries make up the majority of workers' compensation claims. Vehicle accidents are said to be the primary cause of employee deaths, and this includes not only commercial truck drivers but anybody whose work duties include driving. Next on the list are slips and trips, which can happen just as quickly on a construction site as in an office, sometimes leading to serious injuries.

All operations that involve oil and gas extraction are dangerous, and only employers who maintain zero-tolerance safety protocols can protect employees from harm. Workplace injuries are prevalent in this industry in Oklahoma and other states, and many lives have been lost due to safety violations. The latest oil rig explosion is under investigation by state and federal investigators.

Reportedly, an uncontrolled gas release caught fire at an Oklahoma natural gas drilling rig on a recent Monday. Authorities say they believe one worker unsuccessfully tried to prevent the explosion by shutting down the well. Five workers were killed in the blast, and their bodies were only recovered on the day following the fire.

Employers in all industries must protect the health and safety of their employees. Sadly, this is often not the case, leaving employees in Oklahoma and other states extremely vulnerable to potential workplace injury incidents. A company in a neighboring state contends that employee safety is its priority. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has apparently cited this company 24 times after inspections at its facilities in 13 different states over a period of seven years.

The latest incident in which this grain company was involved claimed the lives of two workers who became trapped when they were overwhelmed by grain in a bin on a recent Tuesday. The company did not provide any information about the circumstances that led to the tragedy. It is also not known whether the two employees were equipped with personal protective equipment at the time of the incident.