JASPER COUNTY, Texas—An oil well accident north of Jasper, Texas, left four workers hospitalized Feb. 5.
At about 1:30 p.m., the workers were sprayed with natural gas and oil from a well site, located on Farm-to-Market Road 1738, a few miles north of Highway 63 East. Local authorities said an ignition source caused the fuels to ignite.
Law enforcement officers rushed the workers to Jasper Memorial Hospital to treat serious injuries. Officials have not released their names or any updates on their conditions.
At the well site, another employee managed to shut down the leak.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the incident.
Commentary on The Oil-Well Accident in Jasper County, Texas
Those working in the oil fields know too well the risks associated with such work. I have worked with many victims of oil well accidents that knew of others that had experienced similar injuries. This is unacceptable.
Oil has been the lifeblood of the Texas economy for many decades. On average, nearly 15% of Texas exports comprise crude petroleum and account for almost $50 billion in annual revenue. This level of output is a primary contributor to the life we have all come to know and love in the great state of Texas. As such, we must expect more for the front-line employees moving the oil industry forward. Primarily, these men and women cannot bear the costs of oil alone. Oil companies must take more prudent steps to ensure employees are safe from foreseeable dangers. Often, this requires the oil companies to pay for their mistakes.
It is premature to determine precisely what happened here. However, an oil well exploding is never appropriate and nearly always caused by negligence on someone’s part. A detailed investigation must be conducted to ensure these victims receive the answers and compensation they deserve. Until then, I hope that the four injured can make a full and speedy recovery.
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