Professional Assessment of Occupational Health Risks in Gas Processing Facilities in Cross River State

Workers in gas processing facilities are exposed to a range of occupational health hazards including chemical exposures, noise, extreme temperatures, ergonomic stresses, and psychosocial pressures. This study conducts a professional occupational health risk assessment at two gas processing and treatment facilities in Cross River State, examining facilities in the Calabar Free Trade Zone and Obubra production area. The research employs a quantitative occupational health assessment methodology aligned with ISO 45001 and the NIOSH hierarchy of controls framework. Hazard identification is conducted through task analysis, chemical inventory review, and worker symptom surveys. Exposure assessments are performed for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds, hydrogen sulphide, noise levels in compressor areas, and thermal stress indices in process areas. Biological monitoring including blood benzene metabolites and audiometric testing is conducted for a sample of 45 workers. Findings reveal that noise-induced hearing loss risk is the highest-priority occupational health concern, with noise levels in compressor buildings consistently exceeding 90 dBA over 8-hour time-weighted averages. BTEX exposure levels are within permissible limits at current monitoring points, but grab sampling data suggest episodic exposure exceedances during maintenance activities. Recommendations include mandatory hearing conservation programmes, comprehensive BTEX biological monitoring for maintenance workers, and redesign of high-noise work procedures to implement engineering noise controls. Keywords: occupational health, gas processing, Cross River State, noise exposure, BTEX.