Parts of this article were written using industry insight from Brock Yordy and Dave Bowers' safety talk at National Groundwater Week.

Recently, tragedy struck the drilling industry with fatal on-site incidents—a stark reminder of the risks workers face every day. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 120 fatal occupational injuries in the private mining sector alone for 2022. These aren’t just numbers; they represent lives lost and families affected, highlighting the urgent need to ask tough questions:

• Are we doing enough to keep workers safe?
• What happens if safety regulations like OSHA are weakened or eliminated?
• How can industry leaders take action to prevent future tragedies?

So, let’s dive into it…

With a new administration pushing for deregulation and changes at OSHA, the future of workplace safety in the drilling industry is uncertain. Now, more than ever, it’s time to reinforce (not weaken) safety standards to prevent further loss of life.

The drilling industry is seen as inherently dangerous. Workers operate heavy machinery, work in extreme conditions, and are exposed to hazards like falling debris, high-pressure equipment, and hazardous gases. Effective safety protocols and training programs are crucial, yet recent developments in OSHA regulations could threaten those protections.

During President Trump’s first term, OSHA saw a drop in inspections and enforcement. Now that he’s back in office, experts predict another wave of deregulation, which could mean less federal oversight of workplace safety, raising serious concerns about increased risks on job sites.

The recent withdrawal of OSHA’s proposed Infectious Disease Rule, which was designed to protect workers from tuberculosis, MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19, signals a shift in regulatory priorities. While this particular rule focused on healthcare and emergency responders, its cancellation suggests that other workplace protections, such as heat exposure standards or drilling site safety measures, could also be in jeopardy.

At the same time, legal battles are brewing between labor unions and the Trump administration over worker protections. If OSHA’s enforcement authority is weakened, industry groups may face more lawsuits from worker advocacy organizations demanding stronger safeguards.

The potential rollback of OSHA regulations under the Trump administration could lead to:

• Fewer Inspections and Less Enforcement: Reduced oversight may lower the risk of citations and fines for companies but could result in a more dangerous work environment.
   
• State-Level Intervention: If federal regulations weaken, states like California, Oregon, and Washington may impose stricter laws, creating compliance challenges for drilling companies operating nationwide.
   
• Increased Legal Battles: Unions and worker advocacy groups will likely sue the federal government and individual companies if safety conditions deteriorate.
   
• Higher Workplace Injury Rates: Without strong enforcement, companies may cut corners, leading to more accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

History has shown that deregulation in high-risk industries often leads to increased workplace incidents. While reducing government oversight may seem like a cost-saving measure, the long-term consequences—ranging from financial liabilities to lost lives—are far more costly.

As OSHA’s future takes shape under a second Trump administration, the drilling industry faces significant uncertainty. But workplace safety isn’t a liberal or “woke” issue, it’s a life-or-death issue. The battle over safety standards won’t just play out in Washington, D.C. It will unfold in courtrooms, boardrooms, and most importantly, job sites across the country. Industry leaders have a responsibility to prioritize safety, regardless of government regulations.

By enforcing best practices, investing in training, and maintaining high safety standards, drilling companies can prevent workplace tragedies and ensure their workers return home safely each day. Cutting corners might save money in the short term, but the human and financial costs of neglecting safety are far greater. Now is the time for drilling companies to lead by example and prove that safety isn’t just a regulation—it’s a commitment.

Proven Safety Strategies for the Drilling Industry

According to industry data, approximately 80% of all workplace injuries are caused by unsafe acts, while only 20% stem from unsafe conditions. 

This means that training workers to recognize and avoid dangerous behaviors is just as critical as maintaining equipment and worksite conditions.

Industrial safety expert Herbert Heinrich proposed that for every serious injury or fatality, there are hundreds of near-misses and minor incidents. If companies can eliminate small, frequent accidents, they can also reduce catastrophic events. This approach emphasizes the importance of reporting and investigating all workplace incidents, no matter how minor they seem.

In an industry as high-risk as drilling, it’s essential to go beyond basic compliance. 

The following best practices can significantly reduce injuries and fatalities on-site:

Train Workers to Identify and Prevent Unsafe Acts: Education and training are just as crucial as keeping the worksite safe. Regular safety training helps workers recognize hazards and understand how to prevent accidents. Building a culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up about risks—without fear of retaliation—makes the workplace safer for everyone. Near-miss reporting is also key, allowing companies to catch and fix potential dangers before they turn into serious accidents.

Use the Hierarchy of Hazard Control: The smartest way to manage workplace risks is by following the Hierarchy of Hazard Control: remove hazards whenever possible, swap out dangerous materials for safer alternatives, use engineering controls like barriers and ventilation, apply administrative measures like job rotation and safety protocols, and rely on personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of defense.

Learn from Near Misses and Past Incidents: Safety expert Herbert Heinrich found that for every major injury, there are hundreds of minor incidents and near-misses—warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored. Addressing small accidents before they escalate can prevent serious injuries and fatalities. By investigating every incident, spotting patterns, and making safety improvements part of company policy, workplaces can reduce risks and keep employees safer.

Focus on High-Risk Scenarios: Some drilling accidents are low-frequency but high-severity, meaning they are rare but have devastating consequences. Falls from heights require proper harness use and fall protection systems, mobile tower collapses can be prevented with regular structural inspections and stability checks, and fires and explosions demand effective fire suppression systems and proper ventilation protocols.

Companies need to devote extra attention to these high-risk hazards to save lives.

More specifically, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of an effective hazard assessment process:

1. Recognize and Understand: Identify hazards present at the worksite and understand how they can affect workers, equipment, property, and the environment.
    
2. Assess: Evaluate the severity of the hazard. Risks should be prioritized based on their potential consequences, with the most dangerous threats addressed first.
    
3. Control: Implement at least one safety control for every high and medium-risk hazard. This could involve eliminating the hazard, adding protective barriers, improving work procedures, or providing personal protective equipment (PPE).
    
4. Document: All hazard assessments must be documented and signed off by relevant workers. Clear communication of risks and safety measures ensures accountability and compliance.
    
5. Follow-up: Hazard assessments must be ongoing. Any changes in job site conditions—such as weather shifts, equipment modifications, or new personnel—should trigger a re-evaluation of safety protocols.

It’s About Safety, Not Politics

Workplace safety isn’t about politics or compliance; it’s about protecting people. The drilling industry must take the lead in ensuring that job sites remain safe, regardless of regulatory shifts.

The real battle over safety isn’t happening in Washington, it’s happening on job sites across the country. Industry leaders must step up to prove that safety isn’t just about avoiding OSHA fines—it’s a commitment to saving lives. Cutting corners might save money in the short term, but the human and financial costs of neglecting safety are far greater. 

Now is the time for drilling companies to take action, strengthen safety programs, and ensure that no more workers lose their lives due to preventable accidents.