(File)
SAN ANTONIO (February 17, 2013)—Records of federal investigations show that at least 11 deaths in Texas oilfields could have been prevented if companies followed safety protocols.
The San Antonio Express-News reported Sunday that it used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain details on investigations into accidents since 2009 in the Eagle Ford Shale oilfields.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration records showed that safety violations were found in every fatal incident.
Jobs in the oil and natural gas fields can mean big paychecks for those willing to do hard, dangerous work.
But one in five deaths investigated by OSHA in South Texas in the past decade has been at a gas or oil company.
OSHA did not immediately release details on more recent investigations.
