Profile of fatal occupational accidents in an oil company between 2001 to 2016

Abstract Objective: to analyze fatalities due to occupational accidents occurred from 2001 to 2016 in a Brazilian oil and gas company. Methods: data were collected from the social sustainability reports published by the company and supplemented by information available at the company library, in union documents, and in the media news. Results: fatalities predominantly occurred in the exploration and production activities (55.0%), refining (15.0%), and engineering/construction (13.0%). The highest number of deaths occurred on offshore platforms (19.4%), followed by refineries (14.4%) and oil wells (8.1%); motor vehicles caused 15.8% of the fatal injuries. Occupations with the most fatal accidents were drivers or drivers’ assistants (14.4%), maintenance technicians (9.9%), operation technicians (9.5%), assistants (6.8%), technician assistants (5,9%) and equipment operators (4.5%). Conclusion: deaths in the oil and gas industry struck mainly outsourced workers engaged in exploration and production activities, especially on the platforms, corroborating the international statistics on the high risk in offshore work.