Assessment of Chemical Storage and Handling Safety Practices in a Petrochemical Distribution Terminal in Port Harcourt, South South Nigeria

Chemical storage and handling at petroleum product distribution terminals present significant explosion, fire, and toxic release risks that require systematic hazard assessment and rigorous safety management systems to prevent catastrophic incidents. This study assesses chemical storage and handling safety practices at a petroleum products distribution terminal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. A structured safety audit is conducted using a combination of checklist-based observations aligned with the Department of Petroleum Resources guidelines and the OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety management standard. Key areas evaluated include storage tank integrity, bund wall adequacy, earthing and bonding systems, vapour recovery systems, spillage containment infrastructure, fire suppression equipment, personal protective equipment provision, and emergency response plan currency. Interviews with terminal supervisors and storekeeping staff assess safety knowledge and incident reporting culture. Hazardous Area Classification compliance is evaluated against Nigerian Electricity Standards and relevant Institute of Petroleum codes. A risk matrix is applied to rank identified deficiencies by severity and likelihood of occurrence. Corrective action recommendations are prioritised and presented in a formal gap analysis report suitable for management review. The study also evaluates permit-to-work systems and contractor safety management practices, which are critical in terminal operations. Findings contribute to best-practice benchmarking for petroleum distribution safety management in the Niger Delta region. Keywords: chemical storage safety, petrochemical terminal, Port Harcourt, hazard assessment, petroleum distribution