OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA

This paper examines occupational health and safety in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to investigate the various types of hazards that oil workers are exposed to, the effects of these hazards on the health of the workers, the effectiveness of the existing means of mitigating these hazards, and the adequacy of the legislation that impacts on the provision of occupational health and safety in the oil gas industry in the country. In the course of the study, two hundred and seventeen (217) workers in the oil and gas industry were randomly selected for the purpose of questionnaire administration. Analysis of data was carried out using the SPSS. The results showed that workers are exposed to various hazards in their workplaces. The paper therefore, recommends the provision of fire extinguishers in workplaces, health assessment of all workers, the provision of appropriate health facilities and the enforcement and strengthening of existing legislation to mitigate these hazards.