Texas Had 216 Oilfield Deaths Between 2008 to 2012

Federal figures show Texas had 216 oilfield deaths from 2008 through 2012 to lead the U.S. during the reporting period.

The Houston Chronicle reported that nationwide the number of oilfield deaths reached 545 amid increased drilling and fracking operations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the data in response to a request from the newspaper.

The 545 oilfield deaths nationally from 2008-2012 represented a 3.2 percent increase over fatalities recorded in the five years prior to 2008, with Texas deaths up 7.4 percent.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in 2013 formally asked for public comment on how to expand regulations of potentially hazardous workplaces, including drill and well sites. The request came following last April’s fertilizer plant explosion in West that claimed 15 lives.