Hydraulic fracturing, also referred to as “fracking,” has become an increasingly popular method for the oil and gas industry to obtain natural gas and oil from deep within rock formations of wells previously considered depleted. During the hydraulic fracturing process, workers pump significant amounts of sand, water, and chemical mixtures into drilling holes at extremely high pressures. The high-pressure mixture fractures the shale or other rock formations, resulting in oil and natural gas then flowing into the well. Unfortunately, this process is not risk-free for workers, and serious illnesses related to hydraulic fracturing and exposure to silica can occur.
Silica-containing sand is utilized in the fracking process at very large levels. The reason that airborne silica is considered so dangerous for workers is that its particles are small enough to be breathed in by workers. The respirable crystalline silica then goes into the lungs; which can develop into silicosis. This lung disease involves inflamed and scarred lung tissue, which severely impacts the lungs’ ability to take in and process oxygen. Those who are exposed to silica long-term are at the highest risk for developing silicosis. Even more disturbingly, long-term silica exposure can also put a worker at much greater risk for developing lung cancer. Other diseases, including chronic pulmonary disease and tuberculosis, have also been linked to silica exposure.
There are three different types of silicosis, which feature the following:
• Chronic/classic silicosis: Most common type, generally occurs after 10-20 years of moderate to low silica exposure; initial symptoms may be unnoticeable, which means workers need to have a chest X-ray to evaluate lung damage; later-stage symptoms often include shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, and even respiratory failure.
• Accelerated silicosis: Generally occurs after 5-10 years of high-level silica exposure; similar symptoms to chronic silicosis but known for progressing more quickly.
• Acute silicosis: Generally occurs after only a few months or years of extremely high-level silica exposure; symptoms include severe and quickly progressing shortness of breath, weight loss, and weakness; while much rarer than the other two types of silicosis, this type almost always results in disability or death.
OSHA safety regulations govern the levels of Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) to which a worker may be exposed. Companies must employ certain methods to lower the amount workers are exposed to if levels rise above the relevant PEL. The tragic truth is that companies do not always obey these regulations. Even in instances when they do, safety gear such as respirators may prove defective, leading to innocent workers suffering severe injuries or illnesses as a result.
In addition to the dangers associated with silica exposure, workers in the hydraulic fracturing industry also face the risk of injuries due to:
• Insufficient lighting;
• Falls from varying heights;
• Being hit in motor vehicle accidents or by moving equipment;
• Being hit by tools or falling objects;
• Being hit when high-pressure lines unexpectedly release pressure or when lines fail;
• Explosions and/or fires when flowback or other flammable fluids ignite; and
• Working in closely confined spaces with insufficient safety precautions.
These hydraulic fracturing and exposure to silica hazards are significant, and can lead to severe injuries, disabilities, or even death for workers. Fortunately, however, personal injury and workers’ compensation laws exist to relieve injured workers and their families from the financial burdens associated with their injuries or loss of life. Consulting with an experienced workers’ compensation or personal injury attorney may help these workers or their surviving family members learn their rights under the law and the best steps toward gaining their rightful financial compensation.
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Source: OSHA-NIOSH Hazard Alert regarding Hydraulic Fracturing/Silica Exposure