Oil Industry Workers Research Articles

Oil and Gas Extraction Industry Workers' Compensation Claims and Proposed Safety Interventions.

This study analyzed Ohio workers' compensation data to identify potential prevention strategies for common oil and gas extraction industry claims. Claim rates for 2001-2018 were calculated per full-time equivalent employee. Descriptive analyses on free-text descriptions of lost-time (LT) claims (>7 days away from work) identified common characteristics among claims and injured workers. Among 3134 claims, 860 (27%) were LT. The industry group, drilling contractors, experienced the highest LT claims rate, whereas the cost from servicing contractors was the highest. Contact with objects and equipment caused the highest LT claims rate. The most frequent LT occupation was roustabout, and the most frequent LT work activity was material handling. Transportation incidents caused most fatalities and hospitalizations. Over half of LT claims were from short-tenured workers. Both proven and innovative approaches are needed to reduce severe workers' compensation claims in this industry.

Effect of Health Education on COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors in Oil Industry Workers: An Application of Health Belief Model

Background: Recently, the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new emerging universal challenge in infectious epidemic disease management. Even today, with access to vaccines, the most effective intervention is behavioral intervention, and as new types emerge, it continues to be significant. The goal of the present study was to promote preventive behaviors during the coronavirus pandemic among oil factory workers using the health belief model (HBM). Methods: A total of 138 onshore shift workers (69 control and 69 case group) were randomly chosen from the two sites of oil fields in southern Iran. Data collection tools were demographic characteristics questionnaire, COVID-19 knowledge questionnaire, HBM questionnaire, and prevention behaviors questionnaire. The Whatsapp application was used to educate the intervention group. Workers completed questionnaires at baseline, after the intervention, and three months after the educational program. Data analyses were done using SPSS software, version 24. Results: Except for knowledge and cues to action, there were significant interactions between time and group for HBM constructs and behavior (P≤0.05). Furthermore, there were significant changes in all variables between follow-up and baseline in the intervention group (P≤0.05). The linear regression indicated that the perceived benefit (ß=0.48, P=0.001) and self-efficacy (ß=0.40, P=0.001) were the most effective factors in preventive behavior, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that efficient education based on the HBM and emphasizing enhancing knowledge and preventive behavior adoption can prevent individuals from developing COVID-19 and its complications. Considering that the perceived benefits and self-efficacy were the strongest predictor of behavior, attention to these constructs in educational interventions, especially among oil factory shift workers studied, who are at risk of COVID-19 and without enough knowledge, can provide better outcomes related to COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Occupational Diseases in Workers Engaged in Hydrocarbon Extraction in the Arctic

Introduction: Literary sources present rather contradictory data on the health of oil and gas industry workers in the Russian Arctic, which requires additional research. Objective: To assess causes and circumstances, structure and number of occupational diseases among employees engaged in hydrocarbon extraction in the Arctic. Materials and methods: We studied data of the public health monitoring on working conditions and occupational diseases in the Russian Arctic and the registry of extracts from occupational disease records (Order 176 of the Russian Ministry of Health dated May 28, 2001). The retrieved data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2016 and Epi Info statistical software, version 6.04d. Results: We have revealed a pronounced contrast in working conditions and the number of occupational diseases between coal miners in the Komi Republic (city of Vorkuta) and Chukotka Autonomous Area, on the one hand, and oil and gas production workers of the Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Areas, on the other, in the years 2007–2021. We estimated that 85.1 % of miners and only 3.1 % of gas and oil workers were employed at facilities characterized by extreme sanitary and epidemiological ill-being. Miners were diagnosed with 98.2 % of all occupational diseases registered in workers employed in the extraction of hydrocarbon resources, and the occupational disease incidence in them (201.71 per 10,000 workers) was 492 times higher than that in oil and gas workers (0.41 per 10,000). The most prevalent occupational diseases in the miners were chronic bronchitis (21.3 %), radiculopathy (21.0 %), and mono- and polyneuropathy (10.3 %) while workers of oil and gas companies mainly suffered from sensorineural hearing loss (46.3 %), radiculopathy (18.5 %), and vibration disease (16.7 %). Conclusion: Our findings confirm good health of oil and gas workers and necessitate urgent priority measures aimed at improvement of working conditions and all types of prevention of occupational conditions in coal miners working in the Arctic.

Database on the Standardized mortality ratio (SMR all causes and SMR all cancer) for various professions (706 cohorts/groups): the maximum "health worker effect" for cosmonauts and doctors

Researchers have formed a database for work on the evaluation of the indices of the "standardized mortality ratio" (SMR±95% confidence intervals — CI) in comparison with the general population for total mortality and mortality from all malignant neoplasms ("all cancers") for various professions and types of employment (mainly men). The database includes 689 publications (706 cohorts/groups, 67 professions and types of employment).
 Experts have conducted an assessment the presence of the "healthy worker effect" (HWE) in the studies included in the database based on the criterion of the upper 95% CI value of less than one.
 Among all professions and types of employment, scientists have identified HWE in total mortality only in 52%, and in mortality from all types of cancer — only in 28% of cohorts/groups.
 HWE for both indicators simultaneously and only for total mortality occurred in 26% of cases. For 2% of the studies, there is an inverse relationship (absence of HWE for total mortality in the presence of an effect on mortality from all types of cancer), which is most likely accidental.
 There were no strict dependencies between HWE and the carcinogenic potential of activity, although there was a definite trend. 
 The frequency of work with HWE for specific professions identified as the most "unprofitable" work with such heavy metals as Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu (the frequency of HWE is 0% for total mortality and 5% (mercury miners) for mortality from malignant neoplasms; one publication), followed by activities related to dust exposure (talc, quartz, various minerals, etc.; 5% and 6%) and asbestos (10% and 2%). Pilots (89% and 65%), oil and petrochemical industry workers (97% and 56%), as well as doctors (94% and 96%) and cosmonauts/astronauts (100% and 67%; the sample is small) occupied leading positions in the highest frequency of HWE.
 A complete sample of SMR studies of foreign doctors (1886–2017) demonstrated a strict linear decrease in the SMR value in total mortality compared with the population since the 1940s (r=–0.927; p<0.001), with SMR=0.38 (95% CI: 0.01; 0.76) achieved by the 2010s.
 At the same time, mortality from all cancers among doctors was reduced in comparison with the population almost equally for all time periods since 1926 (average SMR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.53; 0.66).
 Possible reasons for the reduced mortality among foreign doctors compared to the population are not only in prevention and professional skills, but probably in better access to medicine and specialists. In connection with professional solidarity, medical care and informing doctors is apparently distinguished by great attention.
 Earlier treatment of non-cancerous pathologies is also important, preventing their transformation into chronic ones, which can subsequently lead to carcinogenic consequences.

Associated health risk assessment due to exposure to BTEX compounds in fuel station workers.

The purpose of this review study was to assess the risk of exposure to BTEX compounds in gas station workers and operators. The main components of BTEX compounds are Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene and Xylene. Petroleum, coal large quantities in crude oil and its products are the most important sources of BTEX compounds. These compounds have both high solubility (found in surface and underground waters) and evaporate quickly. Gas stations are one of the most important sources of emission of these compounds in communities. Workers who work in these places have a lot of exposure to these compounds. Exposure to these dangerous compounds can cause many problems for workers. This study was a narrative review article. According to different databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, Cochran and Science Direct, 451 articles were retrieved. 55 full-text articles entered into the analysis process. Finally, 32 articles were selected in this study. The search was restricted to English-language papers published between 1 February 1995 and 13 August 2022. The results of our study showed that the carcinogenic risk (ILCR) for gas station workers in Bangkok (1.82 ∗ 10-4 - 2.50 ∗ 10-4), Shiraz (6.49∗10-7 - 1.27 ∗ 10-5), Brazil (1.82 ∗ 10-4), Ardabil (390∗10-6 ± 1884 ∗ 10-6) and Johannesburg (3.78 ∗ 10-4) was high. The non-cancer risk for oil industry workers of Dilijan (Iran) who were exposed to toluene was also reported in the range of 10-6∗176. The health of gas station workers is affected by exposure to BTEX and gasoline vapor emissions. According to the result this study, BTEX compounds cause genotoxic changes, chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. Genotoxicity at high levels in gas station workers can cause cancerous and non-cancerous risks. Improving the production process of diesel fuel and gasoline in refineries, using periodical examinations of workers and operators at gas and fuel stations, using Euro 4 and 5 fuels, and replacing worn out cars can play an important role in reducing the emission of BTEX compounds and thus reducing health risks and carcinogenic.

A Review of Medical Evacuations Related to Dental Emergencies and Oral-Maxillofacial Injuries.

A literature review was performed to determine the frequency of medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) that are required for dental emergencies (DE) and oral-maxillofacial (OMF) injuries. Fourteen studies were reviewed altogether - eight which quantified evacuation of DEs or OMF injuries in military personnel (from 1982-2013) and six studies that discussed medical evacuation of DEs occurring in civilians working in offshore oil and gas rigs and wilderness expeditions (from 1976-2015). Among military personnel, DE/OMF issues were frequently among one of the top categories of medical evacuations, ranging from 2-16% of all evacuations. Among oil and gas industry workers, 5.3-14.6% of evacuations were dental-related, while one study of wilderness expeditions found that DEs ranked as the third most frequent type of injury that required evacuation. Previous studies have shown that dental and OMF problems often account for one of most frequently cited reasons for evacuation. However, due to the limited study base of DE/OMF medical evacuations, further research is needed to determine their impact on the cost of health care delivery.

Parameters of spontaneous and benzene-induced cell death of spermatozoa under in vitro conditions in male employees of an oil production enterprise with impaired fertility

Introduction. Every year there is a steady increase in the frequency of male infertility both in Russia and in other countries of the world with the concomitant low efficiency of recognizing the causes of its idiopathic forms. The explanation for the increase in infertility are: harmful production factors, including chemical ones, progressive deterioration of the quality of the urban environment, which has a significant impact on the reproductive health of the urbanized population, recurring economic crises that negatively affect the human psyche, mass consumption of substandard products and medicines. These factors, primarily chemical production, negatively affect the reproductive system, including the differentiation of male germ cells, as a cause of fertility disorders. The aim of the study to consider in vitro spontaneous and benzene-induced features of sperm apoptosis in male oil industry workers with impaired fertility. Materials and methods. We have conducted an experimental study of biological material (ejaculate) in 50 men with reproductive disorders (26-49 years old), employees of an oil production enterprise. To conduct the experiment in vitro, the researchers used seminal fluid samples. A benzene solution at a concentration of 0.001 micrograms/ml was used as an in vitro induction factor (selected experimentally). We divided the analyzed samples into 2 equal parts to study the spontaneous and benzene-induced expression of apoptosis markers (CD25+, CD95+, bax, p53, Annexin V-FITC and Propidium Iodide, Caspasa-3), which the researchers determined by flow cytometry. Results. There were no significant deviations of intracellular markers of sperm apoptosis (bax, p53, Annexin V-FITC+7AAD+, Annexin V-FITC+7AAD-, Caspasa-3), however, experts observed differences in the expression of CD95+ and CD25+ membrane proteins by 20% and 10% compared to the spontaneous level, which is associated with the acceleration of the events of programmed sperm death (p<0.05). Conclusion. The results obtained in an in vitro experiment on modeling the apoptosis program by induction with hapten (benzene) showed that violations of sperm cell death are associated with overexpression of the key receptor for triggering apoptosis CD95, as well as a marker of early activation of CD25 cells, which reflects benzene modification of the cell death scenario along the path of its excessive stimulation.

‘Camp syndrome’: exploring frontier masculinity in Alberta’s oil production culture

ABSTRACT Building on insights drawn from feminist theory and masculinity studies, this qualitative research project explores Alberta's oil production culture, frontier masculinity, and the industry's connection to the sex trade. Major findings suggest that within the oil production culture, negative views of women, the objectification of women, and the normalization of purchasing sex, are products of frontier masculinity. We conclude that the frontier masculinity found in the Albertan oil production culture is a liminal expression of masculinity specific to the context of the oil industry. These conclusions are based on in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with Alberta-based oil industry workers.

Health Risk from Exposure to Benzene: Study in Oil Industry Workers

The purpose of this study was to analyze the health risks of benzene exposure, on human health, especially for workers/employees engaged in the oil industry. To assess the health effects of benzene on workers, it was obtained from health data of workers exposed to benzene in the work environment. Acute exposure (14 days), moderate exposure (15-364 days) and chronic exposure (365 days) are workplaces where benzene exposure is below the Minimum Risk Level (MRL) value of inhaled benzene exposure that is reduced by ATSDR by acute, moderate and chronic exposure, respectively, to benzene. The threshold value of physical and chemical variables in the workplace (1.59 mg/m3) is also set by the Regulation. ATSDR-reduced exposure to toluene (7.6 mg/m3) is below the MRL for chronic inhalation exposure, while acute exposure (3.8 mg/m3) is well below the MRL for chronic inhalation exposure. Symptoms of headache, weariness, and respiratory irritation can be caused by Benzene exposure that exceeds the threshold value and biological exposure index. blood-forming cells and bone marrow dysfunction as well as neurological or reproductive system disorders. After conducting a risk analysis, an overall picture of the risks will be obtained. The results of risk analysis can be qualitative or quantitative depending on the technique or method used. Risk analysis will also provide an overview of the level of risk from various potential hazards that exist.

Capabilities of the automated information support module for the oil and gas industry operator

In the Russian Federation, the number of accidents and fatal injuries to oil and gas industry workers is growing, which requires the development of labor protection measures. Among the effective measures are information software technologies including the automated information support module for the gas and oil production and processing operator. The present study aims to analyze this module. The research objects are types of work performed by a commodity operator: maintenance of tanks, shut–off valves, pressure gauges, oil release. The subject is technological operations and production factors of technogenic risks which were taken into consideration when developing the automated information support module. A brief description of the module, its navigation on the main pages and their functions is provided. The algorithm for the safe work of the commodity operator and a list of block diagrams were analyzed. The main features of this module were described. Taking into account the production factors and workplace activities, the contribution of the module to the values of occupational risk was estimated. The conclusion about the use of a module that reduces risks and improves safety at oil and gas industry enterprises was made.

Investigating Crash Risks and Driving Performance Among the Oil and Gas Industry Workers

Motor vehicle crashes are the major cause of worker injuries and fatalities in the oil and gas industry. The current study uses an online survey to investigate driving safety and crash risk among the oil and gas industry workers. We examine driver characteristics and attentional and cognitive abilities associated with increased crash risks and evaluate the frequency of traffic warnings, tickets, crashes, and near-crashes among this driver population. The preliminary results from this ongoing study suggest a significant link between drivers’ age, experience, and attentional and cognitive deteriorations and increased motor vehicle crash risk. The survey responses also showed that crashes involving certain types and characteristics might be particularly prevalent among this driver group.

Reflection on the Problems of Labor Motivation in the Letters of the Oil Industry Workers of the Ural-Volga Region in 1956 (Content Analysis of the Territorial-Branch Newspapers "Neftyanik of Tataria" and "Neftyanik of Bashkiria")

This article describes the experience of content analysis of letters from oil industry workers in 1956. New little–studied sources are being put into circulation - the territorial-branch newspapers "Neftyanik of Tataria" and "Neftyanik of Bashkiria". The purpose of the study is to research the system of motivation of workers of oil-producing enterprises of the Ural-Volga region through the prism of their letters to the editorial offices of territorial-branch newspapers. The object of the study are the letters of employees published in newspaper issues for 1956. The comparison of letters published in newspapers was carried out in two aspects: by type of newspaper publisher and territorial affiliation. The article describes the experience of content analysis of letters from employees of associations and enterprises of the oil industry. The text of the article describes the analysis of letter materials carried out using the MAXQDA computer program, which implements the basic content analysis method. The use of the program made it possible to obtain data on the characteristic problems of concern to oil workers, the links between the identified categories. The UCINET program was used to visualize the data. The obtained results expand the understanding of the sources used in research on labor motivation, as well as directly supplement the data on motivation and stimulation of labor in the post-war USSR. The content analysis of the revealed semantic categories of letters showed the special importance of the category "production management" for solving both industrial and social issues.

HUMAN APPROACH IN THE IMPLEMENTING HEALTH PROTOCOLS FOR WORKERS SAFETY IN THE ENGINEERING OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC COVID 19

The safety of workers in the oil and gas industry during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a serious public concern. It is known, the oil and gas industry is one of the sectors with a large number of workers who are positively infected with the Covid 19 virus. This has led to the implementation of several pillars of work safety for oil and gas industry workers. One of these pillars is the human approach. The human approach in implementing health protocols has a fairly effective role, especially for the safety of workers in operational systems or industrial engineering. A literature review that focuses on several important points, namely: (1) how is the safety of workers in the oil and gas industry engineering sector during the covid 19 pandemic? (2) What is the function of the human approach pillar in the application of worker safety health protocols in the oil and gas industry engineering sector during the COVID-19 pandemic? Several aspects must be considered in the engineering section of the oil and gas industry by identifying installations and equipment, safe work practices, change management, integrated management, environmental management, industrial health and hygiene, contractor management, operations management, and others. While the pillars of the human approach that are of concern in implementing the health protocol are coaching and training, work competence, supervision, ergonomics, building awareness and interaction in the fields of health, work safety, building a safety culture, and building safe behavior at work.

Predicting preventive behaviors of cardiovascular disease among oil industry workers based on health belief model.

Working conditions play a significant role in the process that causes cardiovascular disease. In this regard, it is required to monitor the health conditions of workers to design proper interventions to encourage healthy behaviors. This investigation was performed to determine preventive behaviors against cardiovascular disease based on the health belief model (HBM). This research was a cross-sectional and descriptive study with 228 subjects of oil industry workers under shift work schedules in the oil regions of Khuzestan, Iran. The HBM questionnaire provided the theoretical framework for this study. Participants completed the questionnaires in person at work. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, and means, and linear regression analysis were calculated for variables. Findings of the study showed that most workers were of a weak level of knowledge (55.3%), self-efficacy (82.5%), perceived severity (83.8%), perceived susceptibility (75.4%), perceived benefit (57.5%), and behavior (82.5%). Furthermore, results showed that most of the workers considered smoking (3.51 out of 5) and proper diet for good heart function (2.54 out of 5). In this study, the item of exercise was the lowest among all the preventive behaviors (1.39 out of 5). Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of health belief about cardiovascular disease. To decrease the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in our population, and fight against this rank-one killer, multiple useful prevention strategies must be adopted. Educational theory-based interventions and applying designed programs to improve the adoption of preventive behaviors are a necessity.

Assessment of occupational intoxication with aromatic hydrocarbons of the blood of oil and gas industry workers in modern conditions

The oil and gas sector is an essential part of the technical and economic complex of the Russian Federation. The most significant hygienic significance in the oil and gas processing industry is the chemical factor, represented by a complicated complex of harmful substances of hazard class 1-4 with different effects on the body. The study aims to assess the content of benzene and its homologs in the blood of workers of the oil and gas processing industry due to the industrial exposure of chemical factors for five and more than 20 years. Materials and methods. Researchers carried out whole blood samples of 380 oil and gas processing industry workers. They selected two groups for comparison: the main groups of professions (observation group, n=290) and workers not employed in the technological process (comparison group, n=90). During the survey, the scientists have found that with an increase in work experience in the industry up to 10 years, the average group content of toluene, o-xylene, and p,-m-xylene in the blood of workers of the main groups of professions increased from 0.00075 mcg/cm3, 0.00028 mcg/cm3, and 0.00006 mcg/cm3, respectively, to 0.00083 mcg/cm3, 0.00039 mcg/cm3 and 0.00013 mcg/cm3 with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Those working in the industry in contact with arenas for five and more than 20 years have an increase in the content of cyclic organic compounds in the blood up to 2 times, with an increase in the percentage of blood samples from workers of the primary professions with the content of toluene, o-xylene, and p,-m-xylene up to 83%, 26%, and 13%, respectively. This position confirms the established linear relationships and indicators of the correlation between the content of benzene and o-xylene in the blood of workers of the leading professions and work experience. Workers interacting with risk factors for more than 20 years may get occupational diseases (R2=0.82). With a work experience of more than 20 years, the concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons in workers' blood is 1.5-2 times higher relative to the group of workers not engaged in the technological process. Under experimental studies, we established a correlation between the level of aromatic hydrocarbons (hazard class 1-3 with unidirectional effects on the body) in the blood and work experience in the industry. It is pretty apparent the need to introduce biomonitoring in production to assess the complex intake of substances into the body of workers.

Comparing the effect of occupational stress on oil and gas industry workers in Nigeria with respect to age and gender.

The petroleum industry in Nigeria has positively impacted the Nigerian economy. Sadly, the industry has also recorded high incident rates and has maintained the upward trend as reported by the Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR) in their 2015 publication of the petroleum industry health and safety performance score card. The report indicates that fatality in the oil and gas industry had risen by 244% between 2010 to 2015 and that the death toll reached 217 within the same period. The deaths were recorded from 298 incidents reported industry-wide within the five-year period and the reasons are not farfetched. The workers in the oil and gas industry have continually faced unfavorable work environments and conditions, lengthy working hours, achieving ambitious targets and deadlines, workplace competition and other workplace stress factors which led to fatigue, substance abuse to keep up with work, poor judgments and accidents as the eventual outcome. Previous studies have confirmed the risky nature of petroleum exploration and prevalence of stress elements faced by the industry workers while some other studies have established the relationship between occupational stressors and workplace incident in the oil and gas industry. This study therefore will focus on the comparison of oil and gas industry workers response to the effect of stress with respect to their age and gender. The study utilized a web-based questionnaire distributed across 850 respondents selected from Nigeria’s petroleum industry with different job roles. A total of 550 feedbacks representing 64.71% of the total sample population for the study were received. SPSS software was first used to analyze descriptive statistics of demographic information such as age, gender, work-experience, employment type, and job category. The prevalence of stress and the level experienced by the respondents were analyzed using cross-tabulation and correlation on the questionnaires. The percentage of responses for each item used to measure the occupational stress factors in the oil and gas industry was examined in order to understand the extent to which the respondents agree or disagree with the questions. The findings showed that over 95% of the workers in petroleum industry experience stress from their jobs from a moderate level to an extreme level. 111 respondents of the 550 workers surveyed indicated that their jobs were very stressful, which accounted for 20.2% of the total respondents. 45.8% of the respondents said their jobs were moderately stressful, 31.8% were mildly stressful while 2.2% of respondents said their job were not stressful at all. it can be observed that 39.1% of workers between the ages of 20-29 years complained that their job was very stressful, 31.1% of the workers between the ages of 30-39 years complained that their jobs were very stressful, 11.5% of worker between the ages of 40-49 years complained that their jobs were very stressful and none of the worker above the age of 50 years complained that their jobs were very stressful. The survey also showed that 22.1% of male workers indicated that their jobs were very stressful while 9.6% of female workers indicated that their jobs were very stressful. This study has shown that workers of all ages in the oil and gas industry experience different levels of stress and greater number of male workers are more distressed at work than their female counterparts. Further study is needed with equal number of male and female participants in similar jobs roles with the same age groups. This will provide more details that could be used to develop specific stress management models with respect to the age and gender of oil and gas industry workers in Nigeria.  

Validation of the Arabic Version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (A-COPSOQ II) among Workers in Oil and Gas Industrial Sector

Introduction: The undisputed increase of the relevance of measuring the work-related psychosocial factors is confronted with a lack of qualified well-documented measuring instruments covering all important aspects. Aim: To develop and validate a standardized Arabic version of the COPSOQ II for evaluating the psychosocial environment at the oil and gas workplace. Method: COPSOQ network guidelines for validation studies were followed. The original Danish COPSOQ II (Long version) was meticulously translated and comprehensively validated among an adaptation sample of 500 oil and gas industry workers in the Suez Oil Processing Company in Egypt. Only 438 workers completed the questionnaire in Arabic and English languages with demonstrated sociodemographic data (Yielding a response rate of 87.6%). Psychometric properties of COPSOQ II scale items were depicted in terms of descriptive statistics, feasibility analysis, and internal consistency. Furthermore, A-COPSOQ II was tested for factorial validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Mean age of the study participants was 35 ± 6 years. Scales of Arabic COPSOQ depicted a great Concordance and Reliability (C-α > 0.7). Content Validity Index (CVI) was estimated to be 0.87; ranging from 0.7 - 0.9. Models of exploratory factor analyses projected a reflective working model with reasonable results in 33 out of 41 overall scales. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable fit (X2 = 745.67, X2/df = 2.09, SRMR = 0.058, CFI = 0.87). Conclusion: Arabic version of COPSOQ II is a relevant and culturally accepted conceptual instrument for tracking psychosocial hazards and promoting a safe environment for all workers.

Exploring oil and gas industry workers’ knowledge and information needs

Many incident reports and much research literature have concluded that incident rates in high-hazard industries can be reduced by enhancing the knowledge and information sources available to workers. However, a sparsity of published research reporting workers' perspectives on the value of information and knowledge sources in different operational situations potentially limits the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving human responses to process safety performance. In response, this work seeks to understand how frontline oil and gas industry workers, responsible for managing process safety and other risks in their hazardous workplaces, rely on their own knowledge, the knowledge of others and information provided to manage different operating scenarios. A set of open and closed-ended survey questions were distributed to workers at several upstream and downstream oil and gas companies. Statistical analysis of 133 responses revealed interesting insights relating to participants’ experience levels, decision making practices and perceptions on the importance of various information and knowledge sources in different operating circumstances. The data revealed differences in the sources of knowledge relied upon by experienced and less experienced workers. Experienced workers rely on their own knowledge in both routine and potentially high-impact scenarios. Less experienced workers also rely on their own knowledge for routine decisions however they reported seeking out external knowledge and information in potentially high-impact scenarios. The data suggests that interventions to improve safety by enhancing the availability of knowledge and information sources are less likely to affect experienced workers and alternate strategies might be needed. However, such interventions might be effective if they are focused on supporting newer workers.

Saturation diver fatality due to hydrogen sulphide while working on a subsea pipe line

In the offshore oil industry, Multipurpose Support Vessels with extensive diving capability are used for inspection, maintenance and repair of subsea pipelines. The diving industry has developed systemic safety checks and strict regulatory control after a number of fatal accidents in early years. However, accidents do continue to occur and, when involving divers in the water, are often fatal. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), called ‘sour gas’ in an oil field, is produced by the action of anaerobic bacteria on sulphate containing organic matter. A highly toxic gas, it remains a constant danger for offshore oil industry workers who must remain vigilant. Crude oil and gas produced in these oilfields is called ‘sour crude’ and pipelines carry this crude with varying content of dissolved H2S to shore for processing. Divers are routinely called to attend to leaking pipelines and come in contact with this crude. Their hot water suits and umbilical lines are often covered with crude containing dissolved H2S. There is always a possibility that these may enter and contaminate the bell environment. Such a case leading to fatality is reported here.

Health and Well-being Challenges of Workers on the Upstream Sector in the Oil and Gas Industry

Introduction: Occupational nature, strenuous physical activity, shift work, spatial and geographical location, as well as support facilities and equipment, pose greater risks to individuals in the oil and gas industry, especially those engaged in offshore oil exploration and production activities. The purpose of this article is to explain the issue of health and well-being of oil and gas industry workers with regard to accidents in this industry, which can be better and more effective by managing safety, health and environment (HSE) by modeling events in other countries. Methods: This review article analyzes the health problems of oil and gas workers. The research question is what issues and challenges the upstream part of the oil and gas industry has in the field of employee welfare. Physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic risk factors have been investigated. It has also pushed the specific problems of the drilling industry (restrictions on offshore work, psychological hazards, stresses from frequent relocations, and sleep quality to choose from). Results: Physical, chemical and biological hazards have been identified as the most important hazards. In addition, psychological hazards have a very serious effect on health and safety. Conclusion: Systematic assessment of health risks, personnel health, training programs, accident analysis, is an effective method of HSE management.