<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=765 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=titlebar width=746>NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:
Oil Spill Response Resources
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=765 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=19 rowSpan=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Oil spill response workers may be exposed to many different chemical, physical, biological, and psychological hazards. These hazards vary depending on the type and location of the oil spill, type and stage of response, degree of coordination between entities involved in response and recovery, and the workers? specific tasks. Therefore, occupational and environmental hazards need to be identified, assessed, and monitored in each oil spill response.
Potential Hazards
Chemical exposures may include benzene and other volatile organic compounds, oil mist, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and diesel fumes. Physical hazards may include ergonomic hazards, excessive noise levels, sun exposure and heat stress. Injuries may occur due to slips, trips, and falls on slippery or uneven walking and working surfaces. Other safety hazards are associated with the use of tools, equipment, machinery, and vehicles. Biological hazards include possible exposure to biting or venomous insects or other animals. Psychological hazards may include witnessing traumatic injuries or death, inability to help affected wildlife, and fatigue. Fatigue may result from working in a fast-paced environment, working extended shifts, and doing heavy labor or demanding cognitive tasks such as problem-solving and decision-making.
Training and Protecting Responders
Employers should train oil spill response workers about their potential hazards and safe work practices to prevent and control these hazards. All workers should be provided with the appropriate tools, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective clothing needed to perform their job tasks. Workers should be trained in the appropriate care and use of this equipment. PPE should be selected based on identification of the hazards, protective qualities (such as oil resistance) and suitability for the tasks performed. An occupational health and injury surveillance system should be put in place as soon as possible. The prompt reporting of injuries and illnesses should be emphasized.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Updates
Federal, state, and local governments are mobilizing efforts to assist in the containment and cleanup of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This web page provides resources with information about protecting workers from oil spill response hazards. It will be updated as more information becomes available about the safety and health concerns of workers involved in the response.
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report on the Exxon/Valdez Alaska Oil Spill
NIOSH Report HETA 89-200 & 89-273-2111 (1991).
NIOSH conducted an industrial hygiene assessment of potential occupational exposures during tasks performed by Valdez oil spill response workers resulting in these general safety, helicopter safety, and occupational injury surveillance system recommendations.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Information
Joint Information Center Information
Provides current information about coordinated federal response activities, area contingency plans, and state information for Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.
External link: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Deepwater Horizon Information
Provides information about NOAA activities and resources regarding the spill.
External link: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...&audience_id=1
U.S. EPA Federal Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
Provides information about EPA oil spill activities including air sampling and air monitoring.
External link: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/
NIOSH Resources for Oil Spill Responders
Emergency Responder Resources
Provides a compilation of resources for responders to various emergencies and disasters.
Disaster Site Management Resources
Provides information about safety management in disasters and related resources.
Chemical Hazard Resources
Provides links to chemical databases and chemical guidance information.
Guidance for Pre-exposure Medical Screening of Deployed Workers
Provides information about pre-deployment medical screening programs including reasons for screening, who needs to be screened, what type of screening should be done, when to screen and minimum screening information.
Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency Responders
Provides information about respirators and protective clothing (selection and proper use), skin exposures, and eye and hearing protection.
NIOSH Respirator Trusted-Source Information Page
Provides information that may be regarded as a trusted source to verify which respirators are approved by NIOSH, how to get them and how to use them.
NIOSH National Personal Protective Laboratory Respirator Page
Provides comprehensive information about respiratory protection including selection, cleaning and maintenance, certification, respirator standards, and other resources.
Traumatic Incident Stress Page
Provides information about the symptoms of traumatic incident stress and recommendations to monitor and maintain health on-site and after the incident.
NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Oil and Gas Extraction Program Portfolio
Provides information about occupational hazards and NIOSH efforts in this sector.
Training Resources
OSHA: Training Marine Oil Spill Response Workers under OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard
This booklet, written for marine oil spill response employers, describes the training employees need under the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard.
External link: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/3172/3172.html
OSHA Disaster Site Worker Outreach Training Program
This is a training program for Disaster Site Workers who provide skilled support services, (e.g. utility, demolition, debris removal, or heavy equipment operation) or site clean-up services in response to natural and man-made disasters.
External link: http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/disaster/index.html
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): Oil Spill Emergency Response and Cleanup
Provides training tools and other resources for response workers.
External link: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/index.cfm?id=2495
NIEHS Oil Spill Cleanup Initiative: Safety Awareness for Oil Spill Cleanup Workers
Provides an awareness-level health and safety resource for "skilled support personnel" who will participate in an oil spill response and cleanup. This is the THIRD VERSION of the training tool and it will continue to be updated.
External link: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/publ...ob.cfm?ID=8569
NIEHS Video: Worker Health and Safety During the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Cleanup in Alaska in 1989
This training video provides information about the safety and health hazards encountered during the Exxon Valdez oil spill response.
External link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CWCPYyvf10
US Coast Guard/DOT/EPA/DOI Training Reference for Oil Spill Response
A 1994 manual that assists companies in meeting their regulatory responsibilities to develop training programs for their personnel.
External link: http://www.nrt.org/production/NRT/NRTWeb.nsf/AllAttachmentsByTitle/A-384trosr/$File/trosr.pdf?OpenElement
National Response Team Guidance for Managing Worker Fatigue During Disaster Operations
Serves as a hands-on manual to assist organizations with the development of programs and plans to address fatigue issues among disaster workers.
External link: http://nrt.org/production/NRT/NRTWeb...df?OpenElement
Additional Resources
OSHA: Keeping Workers Safe During Oil Spill Response and Cleanup Operations
External link: http://www.osha.gov/oilspills/index.html
NOAA Responding to Oil Spills
External link: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...ic_audience)=8
U.S. EPA Response to Oils Spills
External link: http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/conte...g/response.htm
National Library of Medicine Crude Oil Spills and Human Health Resources
External link: http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/oilspills.html
International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA): Oil Spill Responder Safety Guide
External link: http://seapro.org/pdf_docs/Responder.Safety.Guide.pdf
CDC/ATSDR ToxFAQs: Fuel Oils
External link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=515&tid=91
CDC/ATSDR ToxFAQs: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
External link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/TF.asp?id=423&tid=75
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM) Fact Sheet: Exposure to Oil Fires/Oil Fire Smoke
External link: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/docu...5-033-0503.pdf
U.S. Army CHPPM Fact Sheet: Oil Well Fires
External link: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/usac...al-26Nov02.pdf
NOAA: Health and Safety Aspects of In-situ Burning of Oil
External link: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...655_health.pdf
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidance Document: Best Practices for Migratory Bird Care During Oil Spill Response
External link: http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/Othe..._practices.pdf
NIOSH Products
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report on the Exxon/Valdez Alaska Oil Spill
NIOSH Report HETA 89-200 & 89-273-2111 (1991).
Contains general safety, helicopter safety, and occupational injury surveillance system recommendations based on an industrial hygiene assessment of potential occupational exposures during tasks performed by Valdez oil spill response workers.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149.
Provides industrial hygiene information about chemicals/classes found in the work environment including name, structure/formula, CAS/RTECS Numbers, DOT ID, conversion factors, exposure limits, IDLH, chemical and physical properties, measurement methods, personal protection, respirator recommendations, symptoms, and first aid.
Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Emergency Response Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-107.
Describes the dangers and symptoms of traumatic incident stress, includes resources for coping.
En Espa?ol
Effective Training Programs for Fishermen Involved in Spill Response
Provides information about safety and health considerations for fishermen involved in oil spill response (pp. 393-400). Presented at the International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference, October 2000, Woods Hole, MA.
Take Pride in Your Job: Fall Protection
DVD Pub. No. 2009-108D (2008). Running time: 10 minutes.
This video encourages oil and gas extraction workers to use fall protection and never be "un-clipped" and thus vulnerable when at height. Oil and gas extraction workers share their personal stories.
NIOSH Criteria Document: Comprehensive Safety Recommendations for Land-Based Oil and Gas Well Drilling
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 83-127.
Provides recommendations for the control of worker exposure to the hazards associated with the tasks, tools, equipment, and work practices in land-based oil and gas well drilling.
NIOSH Safety and Health Topic Pages
Chemical Safety
Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Electrical Safety
Eye Safety
Falls From Elevations
Fishing Safety
Hazards to Outdoor Workers
Heat Stress
Machine Safety
Motor Vehicle Safety
Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
Poisonous Plants
Protective Clothing
Respirators
Safety and Health for Small Businesses
Skin Exposure and Effects
Sun Exposure
Traumatic Occupational Injuries
Venomous Snakes
West Nile Virus
Work Schedules: Shift Work and Long Hours
<!-- Date Stamp Begin -->Page last updated: May 5, 2010
Page last reviewed: May 5, 2010
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education Information Division
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Oil Spill Response Resources
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=765 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=19 rowSpan=16></TD><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Oil spill response workers may be exposed to many different chemical, physical, biological, and psychological hazards. These hazards vary depending on the type and location of the oil spill, type and stage of response, degree of coordination between entities involved in response and recovery, and the workers? specific tasks. Therefore, occupational and environmental hazards need to be identified, assessed, and monitored in each oil spill response.
Potential Hazards
Chemical exposures may include benzene and other volatile organic compounds, oil mist, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and diesel fumes. Physical hazards may include ergonomic hazards, excessive noise levels, sun exposure and heat stress. Injuries may occur due to slips, trips, and falls on slippery or uneven walking and working surfaces. Other safety hazards are associated with the use of tools, equipment, machinery, and vehicles. Biological hazards include possible exposure to biting or venomous insects or other animals. Psychological hazards may include witnessing traumatic injuries or death, inability to help affected wildlife, and fatigue. Fatigue may result from working in a fast-paced environment, working extended shifts, and doing heavy labor or demanding cognitive tasks such as problem-solving and decision-making.
Training and Protecting Responders
Employers should train oil spill response workers about their potential hazards and safe work practices to prevent and control these hazards. All workers should be provided with the appropriate tools, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective clothing needed to perform their job tasks. Workers should be trained in the appropriate care and use of this equipment. PPE should be selected based on identification of the hazards, protective qualities (such as oil resistance) and suitability for the tasks performed. An occupational health and injury surveillance system should be put in place as soon as possible. The prompt reporting of injuries and illnesses should be emphasized.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Updates
Federal, state, and local governments are mobilizing efforts to assist in the containment and cleanup of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This web page provides resources with information about protecting workers from oil spill response hazards. It will be updated as more information becomes available about the safety and health concerns of workers involved in the response.
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report on the Exxon/Valdez Alaska Oil Spill
NIOSH Report HETA 89-200 & 89-273-2111 (1991).
NIOSH conducted an industrial hygiene assessment of potential occupational exposures during tasks performed by Valdez oil spill response workers resulting in these general safety, helicopter safety, and occupational injury surveillance system recommendations.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Information
Joint Information Center Information
Provides current information about coordinated federal response activities, area contingency plans, and state information for Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.
External link: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/site/2931/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Deepwater Horizon Information
Provides information about NOAA activities and resources regarding the spill.
External link: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...&audience_id=1
U.S. EPA Federal Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
Provides information about EPA oil spill activities including air sampling and air monitoring.
External link: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/
NIOSH Resources for Oil Spill Responders
Emergency Responder Resources
Provides a compilation of resources for responders to various emergencies and disasters.
Disaster Site Management Resources
Provides information about safety management in disasters and related resources.
Chemical Hazard Resources
Provides links to chemical databases and chemical guidance information.
Guidance for Pre-exposure Medical Screening of Deployed Workers
Provides information about pre-deployment medical screening programs including reasons for screening, who needs to be screened, what type of screening should be done, when to screen and minimum screening information.
Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency Responders
Provides information about respirators and protective clothing (selection and proper use), skin exposures, and eye and hearing protection.
NIOSH Respirator Trusted-Source Information Page
Provides information that may be regarded as a trusted source to verify which respirators are approved by NIOSH, how to get them and how to use them.
NIOSH National Personal Protective Laboratory Respirator Page
Provides comprehensive information about respiratory protection including selection, cleaning and maintenance, certification, respirator standards, and other resources.
Traumatic Incident Stress Page
Provides information about the symptoms of traumatic incident stress and recommendations to monitor and maintain health on-site and after the incident.
NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Oil and Gas Extraction Program Portfolio
Provides information about occupational hazards and NIOSH efforts in this sector.
Training Resources
OSHA: Training Marine Oil Spill Response Workers under OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard
This booklet, written for marine oil spill response employers, describes the training employees need under the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard.
External link: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/3172/3172.html
OSHA Disaster Site Worker Outreach Training Program
This is a training program for Disaster Site Workers who provide skilled support services, (e.g. utility, demolition, debris removal, or heavy equipment operation) or site clean-up services in response to natural and man-made disasters.
External link: http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/disaster/index.html
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): Oil Spill Emergency Response and Cleanup
Provides training tools and other resources for response workers.
External link: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/index.cfm?id=2495
NIEHS Oil Spill Cleanup Initiative: Safety Awareness for Oil Spill Cleanup Workers
Provides an awareness-level health and safety resource for "skilled support personnel" who will participate in an oil spill response and cleanup. This is the THIRD VERSION of the training tool and it will continue to be updated.
External link: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/publ...ob.cfm?ID=8569
NIEHS Video: Worker Health and Safety During the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Cleanup in Alaska in 1989
This training video provides information about the safety and health hazards encountered during the Exxon Valdez oil spill response.
External link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CWCPYyvf10
US Coast Guard/DOT/EPA/DOI Training Reference for Oil Spill Response
A 1994 manual that assists companies in meeting their regulatory responsibilities to develop training programs for their personnel.
External link: http://www.nrt.org/production/NRT/NRTWeb.nsf/AllAttachmentsByTitle/A-384trosr/$File/trosr.pdf?OpenElement
National Response Team Guidance for Managing Worker Fatigue During Disaster Operations
Serves as a hands-on manual to assist organizations with the development of programs and plans to address fatigue issues among disaster workers.
External link: http://nrt.org/production/NRT/NRTWeb...df?OpenElement
Additional Resources
OSHA: Keeping Workers Safe During Oil Spill Response and Cleanup Operations
External link: http://www.osha.gov/oilspills/index.html
NOAA Responding to Oil Spills
External link: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...ic_audience)=8
U.S. EPA Response to Oils Spills
External link: http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/conte...g/response.htm
National Library of Medicine Crude Oil Spills and Human Health Resources
External link: http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/oilspills.html
International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA): Oil Spill Responder Safety Guide
External link: http://seapro.org/pdf_docs/Responder.Safety.Guide.pdf
CDC/ATSDR ToxFAQs: Fuel Oils
External link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=515&tid=91
CDC/ATSDR ToxFAQs: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
External link: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/TF.asp?id=423&tid=75
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM) Fact Sheet: Exposure to Oil Fires/Oil Fire Smoke
External link: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/docu...5-033-0503.pdf
U.S. Army CHPPM Fact Sheet: Oil Well Fires
External link: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/usac...al-26Nov02.pdf
NOAA: Health and Safety Aspects of In-situ Burning of Oil
External link: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov...655_health.pdf
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidance Document: Best Practices for Migratory Bird Care During Oil Spill Response
External link: http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/Othe..._practices.pdf
NIOSH Products
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report on the Exxon/Valdez Alaska Oil Spill
NIOSH Report HETA 89-200 & 89-273-2111 (1991).
Contains general safety, helicopter safety, and occupational injury surveillance system recommendations based on an industrial hygiene assessment of potential occupational exposures during tasks performed by Valdez oil spill response workers.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149.
Provides industrial hygiene information about chemicals/classes found in the work environment including name, structure/formula, CAS/RTECS Numbers, DOT ID, conversion factors, exposure limits, IDLH, chemical and physical properties, measurement methods, personal protection, respirator recommendations, symptoms, and first aid.
Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Emergency Response Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-107.
Describes the dangers and symptoms of traumatic incident stress, includes resources for coping.
En Espa?ol
Effective Training Programs for Fishermen Involved in Spill Response
Provides information about safety and health considerations for fishermen involved in oil spill response (pp. 393-400). Presented at the International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference, October 2000, Woods Hole, MA.
Take Pride in Your Job: Fall Protection
DVD Pub. No. 2009-108D (2008). Running time: 10 minutes.
This video encourages oil and gas extraction workers to use fall protection and never be "un-clipped" and thus vulnerable when at height. Oil and gas extraction workers share their personal stories.
NIOSH Criteria Document: Comprehensive Safety Recommendations for Land-Based Oil and Gas Well Drilling
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 83-127.
Provides recommendations for the control of worker exposure to the hazards associated with the tasks, tools, equipment, and work practices in land-based oil and gas well drilling.
NIOSH Safety and Health Topic Pages
Chemical Safety
Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Electrical Safety
Eye Safety
Falls From Elevations
Fishing Safety
Hazards to Outdoor Workers
Heat Stress
Machine Safety
Motor Vehicle Safety
Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
Poisonous Plants
Protective Clothing
Respirators
Safety and Health for Small Businesses
Skin Exposure and Effects
Sun Exposure
Traumatic Occupational Injuries
Venomous Snakes
West Nile Virus
Work Schedules: Shift Work and Long Hours
<!-- Date Stamp Begin -->Page last updated: May 5, 2010
Page last reviewed: May 5, 2010
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education Information Division
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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