Safety is key in the oil field, experts say

I've heard stories of workers spending their days on “suicide rigs” that rattled and shook, sometimes raining bolts down on the unprotected workers below and of rig hands taking alcohol breaks before returning to operate the heavy machinery.

But today, safety is a key topic of discussion throughout the industry.

Even visitors who don't get close to the well head must wear protective gear on all active well sites.

“There's definitely a concentrated effort to make sure we keep drugs and alcohol out of the workforce and to keep workers safe, said Garrett Gumfory, vice president of risk and health, safety and environment at Fort Worth-based FTS International.

The changes have been gradual, but they also have been widespread, Gumfory said.

“I liken it to your seat belt,” he said. “Probably during those times (in the 1970s) not many people wore their seat belt. Now it's such a habit I can't imagine getting into a car without buckling my seat belt. The same thing is true with the hard hats, the safety glasses, hearing protection, fire resistant coveralls and gloves. I think that becomes ingrained over time.”

The biggest safety change over the past four decades may have been the implementation of drug and alcohol testing, according to Pat Carfagna, director of safety for Pennsylvania-based CONSOL Energy.

“If you look at industry in general, whether it's natural gas, manufacturing or anything else, before drug and alcohol testing, you saw it (drugs) everywhere,” he said.