This paper examines two core topics in the sociology of work: occupational hazards and job skill trends in the United States. Drawing on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, it analyzes fatality rates in the oil and gas extraction industry, identifying the most common fatal events, high-risk states, and demographic patterns among victims. The paper then turns to the debate over whether American jobs are becoming deskilled or upgraded, evaluating both the Deskilling Thesis and the Upgrading Thesis in light of technological change, organizational shifts, and labor market competition. The analysis concludes that generalizations are difficult given the wide variation across workplace types and industries.
This paper examines two important topics within the sociology of work: the nature and extent of hazardous working conditions in the United States, and the ongoing debate over whether American jobs are becoming deskilled or upgraded as the economy evolves.
The purpose of the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is to assess the number of fatal accidents that occur in the workplace in any given year. The scope of the Census is to describe the types of injuries that occur, or potentially occur, in the workplace — specifically those considered serious or traumatic and contributory to death.
In addition to defining the context of a "work relationship," the Census also specifies all the relationships considered to fall within the boundaries of that term. The most dangerous jobs, based on CFOI data, include those in extractive industries such as oil and gas, as well as construction, transportation, and agriculture.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 120 fatal work injuries occurred in the oil and gas extraction industry in 2008. The three most frequent fatal events that year were transportation incidents (41%), contact with objects and equipment (25%), and fires and explosions (15%).
The three states with the most oil and gas extraction industry fatal work injuries in 2008 were Texas (41 fatalities), Oklahoma (21 fatalities), and Louisiana (13 fatalities). Workers aged 25 to 34 incurred the most fatal work injuries, accounting for 48 fatalities, or 40% of the total. The majority of these workers were White, non-Hispanic (75%), while 17% were Hispanic or Latino.
Support activities for oil and gas operations (NAICS 213112) accounted for approximately half of all fatal work injuries in the oil and gas sector from 2004 to 2008 on average, with 69 fatal work injuries recorded in 2008 alone. Drilling oil and gas wells (NAICS 213111) averaged 34 fatal work injuries over the five-year period, with 37% of those fatalities resulting from contact with objects or equipment. Oil and Gas Extraction (NAICS 211111) had an average of 21 fatal work injuries annually over the same period.
Three principal conclusions can be drawn from this data regarding the dangers present in these workplaces:
First, investigations need to be conducted in the states with the highest casualty rates — particularly Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana — to assess the reasons for those elevated rates and to identify concrete ways of improving safety outcomes.
"Three policy-relevant conclusions on occupational risk"
To say that a job is deskilled means that otherwise skilled workers are employed in positions that do not make use of their skills — often because the job has been automated or computerized, removing the need for the expertise the worker originally brought to the role.
The question of whether American jobs overall are being deskilled, upgraded, or remaining static is not easily resolved. While there is substantial evidence that computers have become a central element of numerous jobs — replacing many workers and creating deskilled positions — other analysts conclude that today's employers demand more skills than they did in the past. Factors contributing to this increased demand include technological and organizational change, international trade, deregulation of key industries, and the decline of labor unions. There is also a documented increase in demand for cognitive skills across many sectors of the economy.
"Weighing competing theories of job skill change"
You’re 60% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.