Oil and gas companies across North America are working furiously. While the demand for their product shows no sign of cracking, the same cannot be said for the worker who produces it. To remain energized through grueling shifts of up to 16 hours a day, oil and gas industry workers are smoking, snorting, ingesting or injecting a nasty drug. And it's not just in the fuel industry. Methamphetamine is becoming a big problem across many industries.

A Drug for Hard Workers

"Meth" is a powerful stimulant made from common cold and allergy medicine ingredients and a laundry list of toxic products, ranging from battery acid to drain cleaner. This lethal combination allows workers to stay alert and awake for long periods.

Meth is extremely addictive - some people report feeling hooked the first time they try it. It also wreaks havoc on the mind and body. Heavy meth users are at significant risk for paranoid delusions, hallucinations, depression, violence and self-destructive behavior. Health problems associated with long-term use include brain, heart, liver, kidney and lung damage.

Prevalent in Oil & Gas Industry

According to law enforcement officials, meth abuse has become fairly common in the oil and gas industry in both the U.S. and Canada. Sheriff Buddy Grinstead of the Moffat County Sheriff's Office in northwest Colorado notes that oil and gas workers are at increased risk for meth usage and addiction because, "they work long hours and they work hard. This includes a lot of driving time to and from remote locations."

Staff Sgt. Ian Sanderson, a drug awareness coordinator with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Edmonton, AB, says workers age 18-28 who are single and make good money are attracted to a party lifestyle that includes meth (as well as alcohol, cocaine and marijuana). He says many naively believe they can experiment with meth without becoming addicted.

The Safety Hazards

According to Sanderson, a worker who is high on meth often "can't walk and chew gum at the same time." In other words, that person can't multitask. That's a problem because oil and gas work is demanding and requires that a worker think about several things at once and do them in the right order. "It's obviously dangerous if they are in safety-sensitive positions (where a wrong move can injure or kill others)."

"If someone is higher than a kite you can't tell me it's not going to impact others' safety," adds Grinstead.

Recognize the Signs of Use

• Workers under the influence of meth aren't hard to spot. "They are going to be very rigid - hyper, looking around, nervous. They can't keep their hands and heads still," says Grinstead.

• Those using meth for a while develop what Grinstead calls "meth face" with acne and sunken-in cheeks. Long-term users also frequently appear to age at an alarming rate.

Conclusion

Meth use is not restricted to the oil and gas industries. It can often be found wherever workers are required to work long shifts and balance work with family and other responsibilities. And since addicts can be extremely unpredictable, paranoid and prone to violence, the drug is as poisonous to your workforce as it is to the user.

MEMBER REPLY

The Confessions of a Safety Director

Editor's Note: We received the following note in response to last week's article by Richard Hawk "When Safety Professionals Don't Practice What They Preach."

I always try my very best to be a good example - and I usually am. After all, how can our staff expect to follow safety rules if the person who writes them doesn't believe in them? But I confess, I too, have slipped up with safety. I'd like to share a story of a slip-up.

I am a registered nurse. I once vaccinated an individual without my lab coat on. Now even though a lab coat and gloves are not necessarily legally required in our state for such an action, it is our company policy, so it is obviously required. I had multiple distractions that day and by the time I was able to give the vaccine, I put on my gloves, but never donned my coat. And yes, the wolves watched. There were about 5 nurses (of course, normally very busy, but not at that particular moment) who I could sense standing about 20 feet away, simply watching me. They let me perform the whole action and never said a word until I was finished...at which point, the attack began. I quickly (and with much embarrassment) acknowledged my error. And without hesitation, I told them if they were aware I was putting myself at risk, they should jump in and tell me immediately.

It doesn't matter that I am the safety officer. We are all coworkers who need to look out for one another. Safety isn't solely the responsibility of individuals. The wolves backed off as they knew it truly was a mistake, that it wasn't sheer laziness or intentional, and perhaps most of all, that we all share responsibility when safety errors occur. I was close enough to see their fangs, but was spared...and haven't forgotten my lab coat since!

Christine M. Dixon, R.N.
Safety Officer/Donor Counselor

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

NAOSH Week: May 1-7

How Are You Celebrating NAOSH Week?

This week, businesses throughout the US, Canada and Mexico are striving to raise awareness of occupational health and safety issues. We want to know what you are doing. Tell us about your campaign. We'll share your success stories with SafetyXChange members next week. Send details to catherinej@bongarde.com and let us know if we can use your name and company name.

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ODD JOBS

Unusual professions as listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Wood Club Neck Whipper

Also known as a gripper or grip wrapper, a wood club neck whipper fits leather strips or rubber tubing or strapping to form handles on such items as baseball bats, tennis rackets, and archery bows.

Grippers need manual skills to work with hot tools and sharp knives, and need to be precise and conscientious in their work. A Wood Club Neck Whipper might make between $19,000 and $22,000 a year.

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