Effects of Cleaning Chemicals on Cleaners in Oil and Gas Companies in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of cleaning chemicals on the health of cleaners in selected gas companies in the Bonny Island, Rivers State , Nigeria. This is a cross-sectional research study. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 240 randomly selected cleaners across six purposively selected oil and gas companies in Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. The questionnaire contained open and closed ended questions which measured five variables including socio-demographic variables, exposure of cleaners to training on occupational health safety and hazards, level of knowledge of cleaners on occupational health safety and hazards, level of compliance with occupational health safety and hazards, and the health history of the cleaners. The results of the study showed that the cleaners have a mean value and standard deviation which is taken as a moderate level of exposure to occupational health safety and hazards training (2.23 ± 0.88), moderate level of knowledge (2.27 ± 0.81), as well as a moderate level of compliance with occupational health safety and hazards guidelines (2.00 ± 0.77). The respiratory diseases mean value of 55% and allergic reactions 55% are the most frequent health effects reported among the cleaners. Other effects such as skin diseases (36.67%), chemical burns (32.92%) and poisoning (5.42%) were also reported among the cleaners. The study concluded that cleaners in oil and gas companies get exposed to various health hazards due to prolonged exposure to certain chemicals which they work with. Their exposure to these health hazards is aggravated by their low level of knowledge and compliance with occupational health safety and hazards.