The Toll of Catastrophic Injuries in New Mexico’s Mining, Quarrying, Oil & Gas Industries

In August 2022, a 24-year-old worker was tragically killed at a coal mine near Grants, New Mexico, when the plastic block that was holding open a 26,000-pound door failed. David “Trey” Warren, who was working on a repair at the time, was trapped and crushed by the massive door. A federal investigation later found that the mining company failed to properly train workers on how to safely block heavy doors.

This is just one example of the serious risks facing workers in New Mexico’s resource and energy sectors.

While the region’s rugged landscape and rich natural resources make it a hotspot for industries like mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, the same factors that drive these industries also contribute to the state's high incidence of workplace injuries and fatalities. In fact, within these specific sectors, New Mexico ranks second only to North Dakota in workplace injuries. Understanding the types of injuries workers suffer, their causes, and the varied reasons behind these alarming statistics is crucial for improving worker safety and reducing risks.

Workplace Injury Trends in New Mexico’s Resource & Energy Sectors

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Mexico reported 12,400 non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses across all private industries in 2022. While this number represents a broad spectrum of jobs, those involved in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction are among the most dangerous. These sectors involve heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and challenging working conditions, all of which contribute to a higher risk of both fatal and non-fatal injuries.

In 2022, New Mexico’s private industry had a total recordable cases (TRC) incidence rate of 2.3 per 100 full-time workers, slightly lower than the national average of 2.7. However, the rate of injuries that resulted in days away from work, job transfer, or restriction (DART cases) was particularly concerning, with 6,700 severe cases reported. Of these, 73% involved at least one day away from work, highlighting the serious nature of work-related injuries and illnesses in these industries.

Common Types of Injuries in Mining, Quarrying, Oil & Gas

Workers in these sectors face numerous risks daily.

Some of the most common types of injuries include:

• Falls: Often from heights in mining operations or on oil rigs, falls can result in catastrophic injuries, including fractures, head trauma, and fatalities. Slip and fall accidents can also be life changing.
• Struck-by Incidents: Workers are frequently injured when they are struck by heavy machinery, tools, or falling objects. These incidents are particularly prevalent in quarries and mining sites.
• Caught-in/Between Incidents: These injuries occur when workers are caught in or crushed between heavy equipment, often resulting in severe crushing injuries, traumatic amputations, and fatalities.
• Explosions and Fires: The presence of flammable gases and chemicals in oil and gas extraction operations increases the risk of explosions and fires, leading to severe burns, respiratory damage, and death.
• Exposure to Hazardous Substances: Prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals and other substances can lead to chronic illnesses, including respiratory conditions and skin diseases.

Why Does New Mexico Have One of the Highest Injury Rates?

New Mexico's high injury rates in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries are the result of a combination of environmental, industrial, and regulatory factors. These elements combine to create hazardous work environments that are particularly challenging to manage.

Challenging Terrain & Weather Conditions

New Mexico’s geographical diversity is both a blessing and a curse for its industrial sectors. The state’s landscape, which includes expansive deserts, rugged mountains, and vast arid plains, poses significant challenges for workers. These environments can be unforgiving, requiring operations in remote and often inaccessible areas.

Some of the unique challenges presented by each of these environments include:

• Deserts: The heat in New Mexico’s desert regions can be extreme, leading to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. The dry, sandy conditions also make it difficult to stabilize heavy machinery, increasing the risk of equipment tipping over or malfunctioning.
• Mountains and Arid Plains: Mountainous regions present their own set of challenges, including steep, uneven terrain that can lead to unstable machinery or equipment, such as cranes. The altitude can also contribute to health issues, like altitude sickness, which can impair a worker's ability to safely perform tasks.
• Extreme Weather: The state's weather is notoriously unpredictable; sudden storms, high winds, and flash floods are all common occurrences. These weather conditions can disrupt operations, create dangerous working conditions, and lead to accidents. For example, high winds can make it difficult to control heavy machinery or secure loads, while flash floods can wash away equipment or trap workers in hazardous situations.

Significant Industrial Activity

New Mexico’s wealth of natural resources, particularly in oil, gas, and minerals, drives extensive industrial activity. The state is a key player in the U.S. energy sector, with operations concentrated in areas like the Permian Basin, one of the most productive oil fields in the world.

This level of production can result in:

• High Worker Density: The concentration of industrial activity in regions like the Permian Basin means that many workers are employed in these hazardous industries. With more workers exposed to dangerous conditions, the likelihood of injuries naturally increases.
• 24/7 Operations: Many of these industries operate around the clock to maximize production, leading to long shifts and worker fatigue. Fatigue is a major contributor to accidents, as it impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and increases the likelihood of human error.
• Remote Worksites: The remote locations of many of these operations mean that workers are often far from immediate medical help or emergency services. In the event of an accident, the time it takes to reach medical facilities can mean the difference between life and death.

Lack of Oversight & Enforcement

While federal and state regulations exist to protect workers, the vast and remote nature of New Mexico’s industrial worksites presents significant challenges for consistent oversight and enforcement.

Some of these challenges include:

• Sparse Inspection Resources: The state's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory bodies often lack the resources to conduct frequent inspections, especially in the state’s most remote areas. This shortage means that safety violations can go unnoticed and unaddressed for extended periods.
• Enforcement Challenges: Even when inspections do occur, enforcing regulations in remote areas can be difficult. Employers may be more inclined to cut corners on safety measures when they know that the likelihood of an inspection is low. This lack of accountability increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
• Underreporting of Incidents: In some cases, there may be underreporting of incidents due to fear of retribution or a lack of awareness about reporting requirements. This underreporting can skew injury statistics and prevent a full understanding of the risks workers face, further hindering efforts to improve safety.

Aging Infrastructure

Many of New Mexico's industrial facilities and equipment have been in use for decades, making aging infrastructure a significant contributor to the state’s high injury rates.

This can look like:

• Outdated Equipment: Older equipment is more prone to breakdowns and malfunctions, which can lead to serious accidents. For example, outdated drilling rigs or mining machinery might lack modern safety features, making them more dangerous to operate.
• Excess Wear and Tear: The harsh environmental conditions in New Mexico accelerate the wear and tear on equipment and infrastructure. For instance, extreme temperatures can cause materials to expand and contract, leading to structural weaknesses or failures.
• Cost of Upgrades: Upgrading infrastructure and equipment to meet modern safety standards is often expensive, and some companies may delay or avoid these upgrades due to the cost. This reluctance to invest in safety improvements leaves workers exposed to unnecessary risks.
• Limited Access to Replacement Parts: In remote areas, accessing replacement parts for aging machinery can be difficult and time-consuming. As a result, companies may be forced to continue using faulty equipment, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Improving Worker Safety: Steps Mining, Quarrying, Oil & Gas Companies MUST Take

Employers have a responsibility to keep their workers safe. They must take all appropriate steps to reduce the high incidence of workplace injuries in New Mexico’s mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries. Additionally, regulatory agencies must ensure that employers abide by all local, state, and federal laws. To do this successfully, a comprehensive and strategic approach is essential.

Industrial sector employers and regulatory agencies must:

• Provide Adequate Safety Training: Effective safety training is the cornerstone of injury prevention in hazardous industries. Workers must be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify potential hazards, operate machinery safely, and respond appropriately in emergency situations. Proper training can make all the difference in preventing worker injuries and deaths.
• Enhance Regulatory Oversight and Enforcement: Given the vast and remote nature of New Mexico’s industrial worksites, enhancing regulatory oversight and enforcement is critical to ensuring compliance with safety standards. Governing bodies and regulatory agencies must conduct adequate inspections and ensure that safety requirements are strictly enforced at jobsites.
• Ensure Work Equipment and Infrastructure Are Safe: Upgrading to modern, safer equipment and infrastructure is vital for reducing the risk of accidents caused by outdated or faulty machinery. When upgrades are not required, machinery, equipment, and infrastructure should be routinely inspected and any defects or faults promptly addressed.
• Foster a Culture of Workplace Safety: Creating a culture of safety within these industries requires active collaboration between employers and workers. A collaborative approach not only ensures the implementation of adequate safety protocols but also ensures strict adherence to those protocols, as well as their continual improvement over time.

Supporting a Safer Future for New Mexico's Workforce

New Mexico's prominence in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries comes with significant risks, making it one of the most dangerous states for workers in these sectors. The state's rugged terrain, extreme weather conditions, and the sheer scale of industrial activity contribute to a high incidence of workplace injuries and fatalities.

Despite a slightly lower overall incidence rate compared to the national average, the severity of injuries in New Mexico remains a serious concern, particularly in these high-risk industries. With the right measures in place, it is possible to reduce these incidents and ensure that New Mexico’s workforce is both productive and safe.

When workers are injured or killed due to unsafe conditions, inadequate training, or any other form of negligence, those responsible must be held accountable. No matter what.