title: Occupational exposures in the oil and gas extraction industry: State of the science and research recommendations.
abstract: The oil and gas extraction industry is rapidly growing due to horizontal drilling and high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF). This growth has provided new jobs and economic stimulus. The industry occupational fatality rate is 2.5 times higher than the construction industry and 7 times higher than general industry; however injury rates are lower than the construction industry, suggesting injuries are not being reported. Some workers are exposed to crystalline silica at hazardous levels, above occupational health standards. Other hazards (particulate, benzene, noise, radiation) exist. In this article, we review occupational fatality and injury rate data; discuss research looking at root causes of fatal injuries and hazardous exposures; review interventions aimed at improving occupational health and safety; and discuss information gaps and areas of needed research. We also describe Wyoming efforts to improve occupational safety in this industry, as a case example.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Roxana Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Witter
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tenney
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Lee S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D061329:Oil and Gas Fields; D012106:Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014959:Wyoming
keywords: hydraulic fracturing; occupational health; occupational safety; oil and gas industry; silica exposure