Oilfield work is inherently dangerous due to the presence of highly volatile, flammable materials and equipment under high pressure, so the risk of explosions and blowouts is a constant concern. Workers often work at height between large machinery and components, making them vulnerable to falls and crush injuries. Exhaustion exacerbates these risks, with many workers working nonstop 12- to 14-hour shifts for two weeks straight.
Vehicle accidents are the deadliest incidents in oil and gas extraction. The whatsapp indian number industry’s expansion requires a rugged fleet of trucks and semi-trailers to transport critical materials such as sand, fuel and drilling equipment. These specialized vehicles are typically sturdier and more powerful than traditional tractors and are suited to the rough terrain they must frequently navigate, requiring more frequent maintenance.
The industry has a chronic shortage of experienced drivers, which has resulted in new drivers for these large oilfield vehicles. According to The Dallas Morning News, experienced drivers with several years of professional driving experience are in short supply. As a result, companies are increasingly replacing practical experience with formal training.
Inexperience, fatigue from an endless work schedule, and trucks in varying states of repair traveling on a road not built for such heavy traffic have combined to create a dangerous condition sometimes referred to as the "Highway of Death" on Route 285. The road is a major arterial for trucks servicing the West Texas oil fields.
The Morning Post quoted an experienced driver as saying that after more than a week of 14-hour workdays, he felt extremely tired. This can lead to impaired judgment and chronic sleep deprivation.
