When searching for an industrial job in Houston, oil refineries attract many eligible workers. Oil refineries process crude oil into products such as gasoline, petroleum, diesel fuel, heating oil, kerosene and more. This process is completed using heavy machinery, equipment, pipes and chemical process, making refineries a safety concern for workers. There are various types of refineries, but oil is the most common and has the largest workforce in Texas.
Plant refinery accidents are able to cause very serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a plant refinery accident, schedule a consultation with a Houston plant refinery injuries attorney right away.
The Causes Behind Plant Refinery Accidents
Plant refineries deal with a lot of machinery and chemicals that can result in accidents when not properly handled or maintained. There are strict safety guidelines for refineries as failure to safely run a refinery can be very dangerous.
The most common causes behind plant refinery accidents include:
- Malfunctioned machinery
- Defective equipment
- Corrosion
- Fires
Many of these accidents are preventable as long as strict safety practices are adhered to. However, employer negligence often leads to these accidents. Malfunctioning machinery and defective equipment can be avoided with regular maintenance, as well as corrosion and fires with proper protocol. When a plant refinery employer does not follow preventative measures, accidents occur and cause injuries.
Common Plant Refinery Injuries
Lack of proper maintenance of repairs, and well as unsafe practices and disregard for employee safety is bound to result in a plant refinery accident. The various chemicals and equipment involved are easily able to cause moderate to severe injury in the blink of an eye. Examples of injuries seen in plant refinery accidents are:
- Burns, often severe
- Illness from toxic chemicals
- Skin and organ damage from chemical exposure
- Crush injuries
- Lesions and cuts from explosion debris
- Broken bones
- Brain and spine injuries
Many of these injuries require intensive medical care, which can be very costly and put employees out of work for a long period of time.
The Importance of Plant Refinery Safety
In 2005, Texas City Refinery had an explosion that caused the death of 15 workers and injured another 170 workers. The investigation showed the plant was not properly maintained, and negligence on behalf of plant management resulted in the explosion.
This goes to show how dangerous any plant refinery accident can be and how important it is for employers to put their employees’ safety first. Injuries as a result of employer negligence are unacceptable, and a Houston refinery accident attorney can help you receive maximum compensation.
Get Help From a Houston Plant Refinery Injuries Attorney
Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates understands the stress and pain following a plant refinery accident. We will review your case to determine if your employer acted negligently resulting in the accident, and what compensation is available to you. We have over 30 years of experience in obtaining justice for injured plant workers.
Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 713-429-1971 to schedule your free consultation for your plant refinery injuries case.
