Houston Oil Rig Explosions Caused by Inadequate Maintenance

Oil rigs are built to handle incredibly challenging environments. Yet these pieces of equipment require maintenance and upkeep to ensure they remain safe. The risk of a serious injury is very high, even when everything is working well. That is why preventable risks, such as failing to provide maintenance, can be devastating.

Here is what you need to know about Houston oil rig explosions caused by inadequate maintenance and what your rights to seek legal action include. Be sure to speak with an experienced lawyer about your case as soon as possible.

Why Maintenance Is Critical in Oil Rig Management

Failure to maintain equipment is one of several common, preventable factors that can cause or contribute to an oil rig explosion in Houston. As noted, these systems must operate with careful accuracy to prevent injuries. That means they must be maintained.

Regulations from OSHA make it clear that equipment management and maintenance are critical to preventing worker injuries. Yet, consider some of the most common reasons for these explosions related to maintenance:

• Valves broke because no one monitored the pressure and failed to note corrosion or deterioration.
• The cabling is damaged and therefore no longer transmits accurate information. This can lead to incredible losses of insight into safety.
• Pipes and other components corrode in the intense conditions. Without routine inspections and upgrades, they can shatter and fail, causing injury.

These are only a handful of the most common incidents that can happen. Maintenance of the entire system is critical.

Types of Maintenance Required

Nearly every piece of equipment requires maintenance and upkeep to ensure it works correctly consistently. There are some core components of the oil rig structure and system that are specifically critical to monitor and maintain to minimize the risk of serious injury and even the loss of life. That includes:

• Drilling line maintenance
• Wire rope maintenance responsibilities
• Rig floor care and prevention of injuries
• Engine maintenance and upkeep
• Derrick equipment maintenance, inspections, and upgrades
• Mud circulating system maintenance and upkeep
• All electrical systems, including the generator and electric motors on all components
• Engines of all types

When these components lack proper maintenance and upkeep, they stop operating properly. Over time, they slowly break down and become further inefficient. Yet, the real risk comes from being unable to prevent an explosion from occurring, taking the lives of innocent people around the location.

Proving Maintenance Caused Houston Oil Rig Accidents

One factor contributing to the complexity of these cases is proving that maintenance was the cause. Most of the time, extensive, documented, and verified maintenance records are necessary. Companies must be able to clearly demonstrate that they used a qualified professional to inspect the system, as required by law.

Our legal team can work to build a case in various ways. For example, if there are no maintenance logs, we may speak to technicians who can shed light on what happened. In addition, expert testimony may also help determine fault in the accident. This type of information helps clarify what went wrong and, as a result, who is responsible for your losses.

Schedule a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Case

To learn more about Houston oil rig explosions caused by inadequate maintenance and upkeep, contact The Doan Law Firm for a free consultation. Let us take a closer look at what caused your injuries.