Evaluation of Safety Culture Among Petroleum Pump Attendants in Warri, Delta State

Petroleum pump attendants represent a vulnerable occupational group exposed to chemical, fire, and ergonomic hazards with limited institutional health protection. This study evaluated safety culture and occupational health practices among petrol station attendants in Warri, Delta State, a major oil-producing city in South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey was conducted among 165 attendants at 30 petrol stations using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Nordic Occupational Safety Culture Scale. Results demonstrated that safety culture scores were below the acceptable benchmark in 74.5 percent of sampled stations, characterized by poor hazard reporting, minimal use of fire-resistant protective clothing, and inadequate emergency response preparedness. Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was reported as an ongoing concern by 81.2 percent of participants, yet formal health monitoring was absent in all sampled outlets. Management commitment to safety was rated as low or very low by 67.3 percent of respondents. Multivariate analysis indicated that station ownership structure (franchise versus independent) was the strongest predictor of safety culture scores. These findings underscore the systemic neglect of occupational safety standards in Nigeria's downstream petroleum retail sector. Recommendations include regulatory enforcement of DPR and NEMA safety guidelines, obligatory safety orientation for all newly employed attendants, and standardized health surveillance protocols. Keywords: safety culture, petroleum attendants, volatile organic compounds, occupational hazards, Warri.