Oil and Gas

Oil and Gas

Workers in the oil and gas industry work hard – and are paid well. Along with that comes hazardous conditions. Oil rigs are dangerous for many reasons, including working with hazardous chemicals, pipes, chains, ropes and more. The oil and gas industry has four core segments: Upstream, midstream, downstream, and oilfield equipment and services.

Upstream workers search for crude oil and natural gas, then recover and produce it.

Midstream workers collect and transport natural gas, crude oil, and refined products.

Downstream workers manufacture, refine, sell and distribute natural gas products made from crude oil.

Finally, equipment and service workers rent drilling rigs. They also provide technical services to evaluate oil and gas wells. They also provide the tech services required to construct and maintain the wells.

Sub-Industries in the Oil and Gas Industry

The sub-industries of the oil and gas industry include support activities, extraction of oil and gas, pipeline construction, drilling, and petroleum refineries. Work activities for the oil and gas industry, including the sub-industries, include:

• Abrasive blasting.
• Working with dyes.
• Handling catalyst.
• Chaining pipe.
• Changing oil in pumps.
• Changing parts and vents.
• Hammering metal.
• Cleaning machines, mud tanks, drains and sewers.
• Collecting mud samples and spent abrasive blasting agents.
• Conducting water-based wash-gun activities.
• Demolition.
• Construction.
• Removing soil.
• Cutting grass.
• Cutting pipe.
• Decoking vessels and descaling shot blasting and sand.
• Purging and draining vessels.
• Installing and repairing wires.
• Maintaining equipment.
• Erecting scaffolding.
• Grinding new equipment.
• Greasing fitting valves.
• Grinding.
• Handling heavy chains, sharp blades, slippery and / or heavy tools, tongs, heavy materials, iron, rigging, jagged material and PCBs.
• Install new process equipment.
• Loading and unloading materials.
• Mixing chemicals.
• Monitoring gauges and flammable products.
• Moving pipes and heavy objects.
• Swinging pipes.
• Cleaning up oil spills.
• Opening pipelines and valves.
• Riding ATVs.
• Operating equipment.
• Laying and welding pipe.
• Process sampling.
• Repairing and / or maintaining paint, pumps, seals, valves, tools, metal parts, cords, pipes and couplers.
• Installing / constructing the oil rig and general site maintenance.
• Analyzing and sampling oil.
• Sanding.
• Site clearing.
• Sweeping.
• Maintaining and repairing the valve lines.
• Treating water.
• Welding.
• Working in high winds.

Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry

No matter what you do on an oil rig, you need personal protective equipment (PPE). Abolox carries the PPE you need to remain safe in the oil and gas industry, whether you are on or off the rig. You’ll need hard hats to protect yourself from drop injuries and pipe-swinging injuries. Other issues include:

• Chemicals and liquids: Waterproof gloves and face shields to protect yourself from the hydrogen sulfide in oil and gas. Wearing goggles under face shields ads another layer of protection.
• Exposure to drilling fluids, which requires chemical gloves and high visibility raingear. Boots combined with waterproof pants and jackets can help protect workers from chemicals while cleaning tanks and pits.
• Fires and explosions: All it takes is a small spark to ignite vapors and gasses emitted through the drilling process. The fire retardant clothing we provide at Abolox is of high quality and protects against flash fires, welding sparks and more. It will even protect against heat should workers have a flame-up.
• Many activities, including splashing chemicals, sparks and flying debris, could blind workers. Safety glasses and goggles protect workers’ eyes from these and other dangers.
• Working in the rain and around liquids and electrical components requires rain gear and fire-retardant gear. Most of the inclement weather gear and FR gear are high-visibility, which is also great for working in dark spaces on the rig or working at night.
• Pipes, chains and equipment with oil and grease on them are slippery and hard to grasp. Gloves with nitrile coatings help prevent accidents from items slipping out of the workers’ hands.
• Workers are often exposed to sharp metal.Puncture-resistant gloves help keep workers’ hands safe.

Visit Abolox for Personal Protective Equipment Required in the Oil and Gas Industry

Whether you need hard hats, FR clothing, gloves or other types of personal protective equipment, visit Abolox. Many of the items we list can be purchased individually or in bulk. It’s always a good idea to have extras on hand, whether you are buying for yourself or for the whole crew.

All of our gear is made from quality materials and meets industry standards. If you cannot find something you need on the website, call Abolox, and we’ll source it for you.