As the U.S. leads the world in the use of geothermal energy, an increasingly popular green resource, it’s important to recognize the risks that workers face in the drilling industry. As new technology is developed, the push for renewable energy shouldn’t compromise worker safety.
OSHA provides a resource that summarizes what geothermal drilling entails:
Thermal systems use the heat from the earth to create electricity, and to heat and cool buildings. Some geothermal systems pump water underground through piping, allow it to be heated by the earth, and then use the hot water to create electricity or heat/cool buildings. Other systems drill directly into the earth’s natural geothermal reservoirs, using the resulting hot water and steam to create electricity. Some geothermal systems use a brine or saltwater solution while others will use glycol.
This job includes common hazards such as electrical exposure, fall hazards, and burns. However, geothermal drilling has its unique set of risks. Remote sites often present logistical challenges such as flash flooding, putting both workers and equipment at risk. The high-temperature fluids and chemicals used in drilling processes can cause severe burns and toxic exposure.
Why Legal Representation Matters
These dangers can result in devastating injuries or fatalities, raising significant legal concerns. Employees have a right to a safe work environment, and when that’s compromised, it opens the door for legal recourse. When dangerous work is involved, extra precautions must be taken, especially when fires and explosions can occur. Equipment must be properly inspected and maintained to ensure that accidents do not occur and that hardworking Americans are not hurt.
Those touched by an accident should know their legal rights and remedies, and act quickly to preserve them. The firm has experience in courts across the country and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or as a result of an explosion, or been seriously injured.
The experienced attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an accident at a jobsite. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.