Oil drilling is prosperous for Texas, but working on these drills is an inherently hazardous job. Much like in construction, workers on oil drills often experience long hours, extreme weather conditions and come into close contact with dangerous machinery. One would think such conditions would lend themselves to heightened government scrutiny and regulations of oil drilling sites. But in fact, the opposite appears to be true.

Oil and gas drilling are treated differently than other industries by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. The agency excluded these businesses from certain safety rules, stating it would create different standards better fitting the unique aspects of oil and gas drilling. Over a decade later, those standards have yet to materialize.