Gust of Wind Leads to Serious Injury: A Preventable Incident at an Oil and Gas Site

Case Overview

This case revolves around an individual employed at an oil and gas worksite who sustained a severe head injury after a gust of wind caused a door to swing open unexpectedly. The incident occurred as the individual was exiting a data van, where they had been completing the task of refueling generators. The data van was designed with a stairwell on only one side and lacked a platform to step onto upon exiting. Additionally, there were no safety features to prevent the door from swinging open at a 180-degree angle. As the individual opened the door, the wind forcefully propelled it, resulting in a fall that led to serious injuries. This case raises important questions about the design and safety standards of data vans in high-risk environments.

Questions to the Occupational Health and Safety expert and their responses

Please describe your experience in oil and gas worksite safety, specifically as it relates to data van safety, if applicable.

Being a safety director in the oil and gas industry, I have been in many data vans. The issue with the stairs is going to be regulated under the ANSI standards and only reference the OSHA walking and working surface standards.

Briefly, what industry standards exist for data vans regarding ensuring the safety of workers entering and leaving the van?

As OSHA is the base for most safety programs, I am sure the stairs will reflect the proper amount of risers and railings. However, in the assessment of the site, the forecastable hazards would require additional contemplation of the door becoming the hazardous issue. As such, ANSI would identify that the owner and to some degree the site or premises owner would need to forecast those areas in which the door could become the issue. Setting a door with stops and catches is less than $100, requires no intensive skill set, and is proper for the situation. As part of the safety management plan, ANSI Z10, there should be consideration for the subs entering the site and communication of potential hazards, ANSI Z535. This seems to be an interesting and multi-faceted case. One thing is known at the outset, this injury was 100% preventable and equally forecastable. I look forward to discussing this further with the attorney.

About the expert

This expert has over 20 years of experience in environmental health, occupational health, and safety, specializing in workplace injuries and fatalities in the construction, oil, gas, and retail industries. He earned his BA in healthcare administration from American Intercontinental University, followed by both his MS in occupational safety and health and his MBA from Columbia Southern University. Today, this expert is a licensed paramedic in the state of Texas and is a certified EMS instructor, safety health and environmental professional, and OSHA outreach instructor. He previously served as a medical and safety officer in the emergency department of Kingwood Plaza Hospital and as a managing partner of BOSS Safety and Medical. He was also the general manager and chief flight medical officer of Asher Field Services and both the regional director and director of safety and compliance for TanMar Companies LLC. Currently, he serves as adjunct faculty of occupational safety and health at a major university, as the director of environmental health and safety at a well-servicing company, and as the owner of an EMS education service, all located in Texas.

E-021123

Specialties:

Occupational Health and Safety

Celia Guo is the Vice President of Multidisciplinary Research at Expert Institute. With a background rooted in public policy and criminal justice, Celia brings a wealth of experience in data-driven legal analysis. Prior to joining The Expert Institute, she conducted research for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, focusing on drug diversion cases, and collaborated with the American Civil Liberties Union to analyze officer-involved shootings in Fresno, California. Her policy advocacy work also includes lobbying with the Drug Policy Alliance for the RISE Act, aimed at reforming sentencing enhancements for minor drug offenses.

Celia holds a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University and an M.P.P. from the University of Southern California. She combines her policy expertise with a passion for justice to lead a dynamic research team that supports litigation strategy across a wide range of practice areas.

Gust of Wind Leads to Serious Injury at an Oil and Gas Site