Assessment of Occupational Health Services in a Petroleum Industry in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Lagos Zone of the largest and oldest indigenous oil and gas company in Nigeria. The purpose was to compare the occupational health facilities and services in the Upstream and Downstream operations of the industry. Data was collected by key informant interviews and a walk-through survey between October and December 2005. There is a laid down policy on Health and Safety for the staff but the provision of facilities and services are not adequate in downstream factories. Provision and utilization of personal protective equipment is also poor in this sector. The upstream sector, however, has adequate provision of occupational amenities as well as personnel. Generally, safety control measures were available but were more adequate in upstream than in downstream operations. A little proportion of the workers showed awareness of the safety measures and policies put in place by management as well as the Federal Government regulation on factory safety and the company’s Health Safety and Environment training programmes. Regular factory inspection by government regulatory agencies and the correction of the deficiencies in the provision of occupational health services by the management of the concerned factories are recommended. Niger Med J. Vol. 49, No. 1, Jan. – Mar., 2008: 12 – 16. Keywords: Petroleum industry, Nigeria, occupational services, occupational health, occupational health policy