Man camps are popular in the oil and gas industry, and a man camp is a temporary encampment that houses workers for nearby construction or drilling sites. Man camps often include modular or pre-fabricated buildings with beds and bathrooms. Sometimes, a man camp may simply be a large group of RVs parked together in an open space.
Since the oil and gas industry is so volatile, man camps often pop up for a few months and are then gone a short time later. There have been some controversies surrounding man camps lately, and many wonder if the benefits are worth the risk. Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about life in a man camp.
When Did “Man Camps” Get Started?
Man camps first started in the early 20th century when oil companies needed large workforces to build and operate drills all across North America. These drilling sites were typically “boom or bust” employment opportunities. As soon as the well went dry, the crew would need to move to another location.
This is why permanent housing was not financially feasible for these oil companies. Instead, the concept of a “man camp” was born. These camps consisted of temporary housing where the workers lived while working at the site. Since most of the employees were men, these housing arrangements became known as a man camp.
Today, man camps usually consist of trailers or pre-fabricated buildings. There are several companies today that specialize in constructing man camps for oil companies. One of the largest is Target Hospitality, and they specialize in turnkey workforce housing, such as man camps.
What Is Life in a Man Camp Like?
Life in a man camp is not glamorous. Most of these workers leave behind their families for weeks or months at a time to work at these drilling sites. Many man camps are more than 100 miles from the closest town.
Man camps often include bunks with many workers sharing rooms with each other. Some workers choose to pay more in order to get their own bed or private room. They may also purchase meal plans, although some man camps require workers to prepare their own meals in shared kitchens.
Life in a man camp can certainly get boring, although most workers who live in a man camp spend most of their time at work. Many man camps have recreation areas or other activities to help fight boredom and keep morale high.
The Downside of Man Camps
While man camps certainly serve an important purpose, they are not without controversy. Not everyone is a fan of man camps, and many local towns find their resources overwhelmed by nearby man camps. Infrastructure, water, and other resources of nearby small towns may be strained by a man camp.
In some cases, the population of the man camp may be more than the closest town. This could lead to restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals, and law enforcement being overwhelmed by the needs of the man camp. For this reason, many local town governments and administrations are looking for ways to limit the impact of man camps on their local resources.
Contact McIntyre Law To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Oklahoma City Personal Injury Attorney
Even with their downside, it’s not likely that man camps are going away any time soon. Oil and gas companies still have a need for thousands of workers in remote areas, and these workers are on their own during their off time. These companies can often be held liable for oilfield accidents, and they could even face liability for some issues caused by these man camps.
If you have been hurt in a man camp or an incident related to a man camp in Oklahoma, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows what it takes to win complex injury claims. At McIntyre Law, we can help you understand what happens after an accident and help you get the justice you deserve.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer
Reach out to McIntyre Law for help today. We proudly serve injured clients throughout Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, and surrounding communities across Oklahoma.
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Oklahoma City, OK 73139
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