During the 1960s to mid 1980s the oil and gas industry offshore and on drilling barges commonly uses asbestos and asbestos-related products in connection with drilling for oil and gas. Many of the workers exposed to these asbestos products did not know at that time that they were endangering their health by following the instructions of their employers. This article discusses the background of asbestos being used on oil rigs, the nature of asbestos itself, the health concerns of asbestos and finally what injured workers can do to protect themselves.