3 days ago
EXCLUSIVE I have one of the 'world's most dangerous ' jobs surrounded by men AND I'm an influencer - I don't care about the sexism
In most jobs a small mistake might result in a slap on the wrist at the very worst.
But, there are some careers in which the stakes are far higher and where a minor mishap could have devastating consequences.
Leidy Villamil, 30, revealed how a moment of complacency in her field could see her crushed, burned, losing a limb, or even facing a painful demise.
As an offshore engineer Ms Villamil's job will often see her working with heavy machinery and high temperatures while stationed thousands of miles from land.
She told MailOnline: 'I could maybe be smashed by heavy things or a pipe could slip and my hand could get squashed.
'I could lose a finger or a hand, and at the worst case, there could be a fatality.'
Working on an oil rig is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and has the third highest death rate - with 46 per 100,000 employees losing their lives.
'We have had some cases of injuries and fatalities which have happened when people haven't been aware of themselves while moving loads and have been smashed between loads', Ms Villamil said.
As an Offshore engineer Ms Villamil's job will often see her working with heavy machinery and high temperatures while stationed thousands of miles from land
'There have sadly been people who were in the wrong place at the wrong moment and they have ended up being crushed between a container and a wall.'
Being in a remote location adds to the 'very high' risk Ms Villamil faces at work as medical attention could be hours away.
'It is dangerous, you have to go in a chopper to a place in the middle of the sea where there is absolutely nothing around,' she said.
'You are working with the source under ground, with high pressure and high temperature, with a volatile fluid. So in terms of danger the risks are very high.'
She added how workers must complete specialized training on how to survive terrifying worst case scenarios including a helicopter crash in the water.
Ms Villamil became an engineer seven years ago and has worked on rigs in many different countries including the UAE, Namibia, Indonesia, spain and her native Colombia.
But, despite being a seasoned professional, there is one perilous part of the job she avoids at all costs.
'In an oil platform, you have something called rotary table which is the place where all the pipes go down into the well.
'This is the most dangerous zone of an oil platform, because you are lifting these things all the time, and you are pretty much under the load.
'You are very exposed. I try to do this as little as I can,' she revealed.
Offshore engineers can earn up to £100,000 per year, but Ms Villamil says she doesn't do it for the money but finds the work exciting.
However, although she currently enjoys her job, things haven't always been smooth sailing and she revealed one aspect she found 'very challenging' at the beginning.
Due to its physically demanding nature the oil and gas industry is heavily male dominated and plagued by sexism.
'It's very common for me to be the only woman among 200 men. There are just a few women in my field,' Ms Villamil said.
'I've experienced sexism many times. I have even had a guy trying to touch me.
'Sometimes men don't take me seriously because I'm smaller, because I try to be kind, because I'm a woman.'
Ms Villamil says she used to be affected by sexism but now insists it doesn't bother her.
'At the beginning it was very challenging, but it also helps to develop strength and personality.
'If I can be honest now, I don't mind it at all. I'm perfectly fine with it. I am also a very strong character, so I don't hesitate to use it when I have to.'
She also urges other women working offshore to stand up for themselves when experiencing sexism.
'I encourage them not to be afraid to speak up and fight back because we cannot allow this to happen to us', she said.
'We have the same right, the same capacity, the same everything as them (men) but sometimes they just don't catch it.'
Ms Villamil says now one of the toughest parts of her job is staying in touch with her partner while she spends months at sea.
'It's really difficult. We make it work somehow, but it's really difficult', she said.
'Internet access in the platform is very challenging. You know, there are some times that we barely can send a WhatsApp message. Not even a voice message.'
Ms Villamil's work also often means she is called away during festive seasons and is unable to celebrate special occasions with her family.
When this has been the case rig bosses will try and lessen the blow by providing treats and entertainment for the workers.
'For Christmas and New Year's they gave us non alcoholic sparkling wine and non alcoholic beers and we played Bingo,' Ms Villamil said.
