Evaluation of Occupational Health Hazards among Oil Industry Workers: A Case Study of Refinery Workers

Abstract

Occupational Health Hazard which is different from Occupational Safety Hazard is prevalently on the rise as industrialization increases in the global world. And identifying them in order to prevent and control them is very imperative to the health and well-being of the workers. The health and well-being of the workforce of a Company which is their most valuable asset should not be toyed with by the Management. Health Hazards which could result in the development of diseases and sicknesses is categorized into Physical Health Hazard, Chemical Health Hazard, Biological Health Hazard, Mechanical/Ergonomic Health Hazard and Psychosocial Health Hazard. These Health Hazards, usually, could be associated with most industrialized Organization and the Oil and Gas Refinery is not left out. Furthermore, in the course of this study, data was collected through open-ended Questionnaires to the workers and the Occupational Health Doctor. Also, Environmental Monitoring/Surveillance was carried out in seven main units of the Refinery. The questionnaire was administered to the workers randomly and was used to identify the Health Hazards, determine the awareness of the workers of the Health Hazards and evaluate the Occupational Health Practice that exists in the Refinery. Environmental Monitoring/Surveillance which includes the use of specialized equipments and good housekeeping were used to identify the different Health Hazards, and also, to assess the risk associated with the Health Hazards identified. Hazard Risk Assessment Matrix was used to identify the Health Hazards and the risks associated with them. A total of 85 respondents participated in the study. Most of the respondents were in the age range of 31- 40 years and approximately 31% run Shift Duty. Majority of respondents (82.4%) were males, married (64.7%) and had completed tertiary education (81.2%) respectively. Majority of respondents were able to identify the Health Hazards: Physical Health Hazard (74.2%); Chemical Health Hazard (70.9%); Mechanical/Ergonomics Health Hazard (78.8%) but the level of awareness of Psychosocial Health Hazard (48.3%) and Biological Health Hazards (9.6%) were low especially that of the latter. For the evaluation of Occupational Health Practice most of the respondent (78.1%) agreed that management is committed to the health and well-being of their workers. With the Environmental Monitoring, it was deduced that the above named first three Health Hazards and the Biological Health Hazard are prevalent in the Refinery. With the Hazards Risk Assessment Matrix, the level of risk these identified Health Hazards pose on the workers was 3D, 5E, 3C and 0A respectively However, workers' susceptibility to work related-diseases depends on a lot of factors, and it usually takes some time before the manifestation of the illnesses and diseases on the worker could be diagnosed. Consequently, Health Effect Management Process which is an element in Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHS-MS) amongst others is recommended management protocol that would assist the management of an Oil and Gas Refinery protect, promote and rehabilitate the health and well-being of their workers.