W & T Offshore Energy is an independent oil and natural gas producer company. It engages in exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties in the Gulf of Mexico, both in the Shelf and in deepwater, located in federal and state waters.
- While working on the overhaul of the crane engine two mechanics started doing the bleed down of the crane’s diesel fuel system, during this process one of the workers in the operator’s cab pushing the start button as needed while the other was standing next to the engine using hand tools to bleed fuel injectors on the engine head. After a few cranks the mechanics exhausted the stored pressure of the volume tank that supplies the starter, then the mechanics told the operators more air pressure was needed. The operator opened the valve at the facility’s departing gas pipeline sending natural gas to the fuel gas system. The mechanics tried to start the bleed down process again, by approximately the third time a flash fire occurred at the engine air intake blower. The worker standing next to the engine was engulfed by the flames, sustaining first and second degree burns to hands, arms, face and ears. The injured worker was evacuated via air.
- After Hurricane Ike in 2008 a spill took place in the Gulf of Mexico waters, lasting from January to March 2009.
- A lost time incident occurred when, during an inspection, a previous unreported incident was discovered and a worker was found to have sustained an injury.
- An employee was working in the bottom of the rig mud pit tank when he was struck on the head by a falling metal object. He was not wearing a hard hat at t time, he was instead wearing a full face mask which was not compatible with his hard hat.
Asbestos and the Oil Industry
Asbestos was a highly popular material during the twentieth century due to its low cost, durability, heat and fire resistance. But asbestos is, also, an extremely toxic material that has been linked to several health complications, including Mesothelioma a deadly and aggressive kind of cancer most commonly found in the pleura, the layer of tissue surrounding the lungs.
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Oil Rig Accident Attorneys
Oil rig accident attorneys represent workers and ex-employees that have been involved in accidents at their work locations. Accidents at oil rigs can leave workers exposed to long term consequences including chronic pain, injury, possible disability and mounting medical bills. Some of them can even be fatal. Contacting an specialized lawyer in this cases can be of vital importance in getting a case evaluation to determine if reparations are needed.
