November 2006 ISSUE
Upstream Injuries Rate Unchanged in 2005
Upstream oil and gas industries in Alberta represented more than $16 million in Workers’ Compensation Board claims in 2005, up about 9.5 per cent from about $14.6 million in 2004. But data compiled by Alberta Human Resources and Employment show that the rate of claims per 100 person-years of work remained at 1.3 for the second consecutive year.
The rate was 1.6 in 2003 and 1.3 in 2002. The worst year for rates of claim in the last five years was 2001, when the figure was 1.7 per 100 person-years of work.
The tar sands sub-sector had the lowest claim rate of all upstream sub-sectors at 0.2 per 100 person years.
The highest rate, 4.4, was in the oilfield trucking services industry.
In all, there were 6,688 lost-time claims in the industries in 2005. Downhole and other oilfield services accounted for 36.4 per cent, oilfield trucking services 16 per cent, and well drilling 15.4%
The information is contained in a 34-page report called Occupational Injuries and Diseases in Alberta, Lost-Time Claims and Claim Rates, Upstream Oil and Gas Industries. It was released in July by Work Safe Alberta, and Alberta Human Resources and Employment.
Between 2001 and 2005, nearly 30 per cent of incidents involved over-exertion or being struck by objects. More than half of the injured workers were aged 25 to 44. And 27 per cent of claims resulted in 51 or more days off work.
Claim rates were lowest in the largest category of companies in 2005. Companies with employment representing 100 or more person years had an overall rate of 0.9 claims per 100 years. Middle-sized companies with 20 to 39 person years had the highest rate, at 2.4 per 100.
MORE INFO
Alberta Human Resources and Employment
www.hre.gov.ab.ca/
Work Safe Alberta
www.worksafely.org
Workplace Heath and Safety Contact Centre
Phone 780-415-8690, Toll-free 1-866-415-8690
www.hre.gov.ab.ca/
whs-contact/
Certificate of Recognition Program
www.hre.gov.ab.ca/whs-partnerships/