Occupational Health Management Practices in the Oil and Gas Sector in Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria

The oil and gas sector in Nigeria's Niger Delta region presents diverse occupational health challenges, including exposure to hydrocarbon vapors, noise, ergonomic hazards, and psychosocial stressors. This study examined occupational health management practices in five upstream oil and gas companies operating in Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, involving structured questionnaire surveys with 280 oil field workers across contractor and direct employment categories, document reviews of occupational health management system records, and key informant interviews with company health, safety, and environment officers. Results showed that international companies demonstrated higher compliance with health surveillance and hazard identification requirements than indigenous companies. Pre-employment medical examination compliance was ninety-three percent in international firms compared to sixty-one percent in indigenous operators. Periodic health monitoring was conducted annually in seventy-four percent of international company sites but only thirty-eight percent of indigenous company sites. Personal protective equipment provision was universally reported, but behavioral compliance during operations was inconsistent. Psychological health support services were available in only three of five assessed companies. Near-miss reporting systems, essential for proactive hazard management, were functional in only forty percent of companies. The study recommends harmonized occupational health standards across all sector operators in Bayelsa, mandatory occupational health management system audits, and expansion of psychological support services. Keywords: occupational health management, oil and gas, Bayelsa State, health surveillance, contractor workforce.