Employment Laws for Oil Rig Workers
Employment laws for oil rig workers range from safety standards, fair hiring practices and fair compensation for their work. The variety of oil and gas employment laws call for examination of each worker's claim of injustice separately. The basic employment laws for an oil rig worker follow the same laws as any employee, with a few exceptions.
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Safe Workplace Standards
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The federal standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for a safe workplace address drilling oil and gas wells as a part of OSHA's oil and gas field services industry. These regulations, in addition to general industry regulations, protect oil rig workers. States also set safety standards for oil rig workers.
Freedom from Discrimination Against Applicants
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Equal opportunity in hiring covers the oil industry specifically and also focuses on the rights of applicants that want to work on an oil rig. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission prevents discrimination in the workplace. If a rig worker applicant has been denied a job for any other reason than one based on his ability to meet the requirements of the job description, there may be reason for the EEOC to investigate the case.
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Fair Compensation
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An offshore rig worker falls under the classification of a seaman working on a maritime vessel. This classification allows the employer to suspend the right to overtime pay. Many offshore rig workers have extended stays on the vessel. Overtime pay is calculated differently compared with on-shore rig workers.
Privacy and Protection from Retaliation
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An employee's right to privacy in the form of medical reporting and private information practices by the employer applies to oil rig workers as well. Safeguards also protect whistle blowers from retaliation. In the case that oil rig workers report a safety violation or oversight in the working environment to OSHA, rig workers have protection for their actions.
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References
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