DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE
Gulf of Mexico Oil Cleanup
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Health Hazard Evaluation of Deepwater Horizon Response Workers: Final Report
Summarizes evaluations made during the course of the offshore and onshore HHE investigations and describes the conditions and characteristics encountered during the event.
NIOSH Efforts to Protect Oil Cleanup Workers
NIOSH protected oil cleanup workers with the following efforts:
- Partnered with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to provide other federal and state partners, BP, and workers with guidance and educational materials for protecting response workers.
- Conducted health hazard evaluations and surveillance of reported illnesses among workers involved in the Gulf response.
- Developed a voluntary roster of workers to obtain a record of those who have participated and a mechanism to contact them about possible work-related symptoms of illness or injury, as needed.
- Analyzed injury and illness data provided to NIOSH by BP safety officials to increase awareness of the risks associated with Gulf oil response work.
NIOSH research scientists are currently conducting toxicology studies on the dispersant used in the Deepwater Horizon response (Nalco Corexit 9500A), crude oil, and dispersant and crude oil mixtures. These chemicals and chemical mixtures are being tested for possible adverse health effects of pulmonary and dermal exposure. The information from these studies will help NIOSH and others develop recommendations for protecting workers from the potential effects of these chemicals and chemical mixtures. When completed, the results of these studies will be made available to the scientific community and the general public.
NIOSH/OSHA Deepwater Horizon Guidance for Workers
RESOURCES
NIOSH GUIDANCE
Health Hazard Evaluation of Deepwater Horizon Response Workers: Interim Reports
Managing Traumatic Incident Stress for Deepwater Horizon Response and Volunteer Workers
Medical Pre-Placement Evaluation of Deepwater Horizon Response Workers
Medical Pre-Placement Evaluation Indicators for Health Professionals
NIOSH/OSHA Interim Guidance for Protecting Deepwater Horizon Response Workers and Volunteers
Protecting Workers and Volunteers Responding On-Shore to Hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico
Reducing Occupational Exposures while Working with Dispersants During the Gulf Oil Spill Response
OTHER NIOSH RESOURCES
Lessons Learned from the Deepwater Horizon Response
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-117
Managing Your Stress: Tips for Deepwater Horizon Response and Volunteer Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-155
Health Hazard Evaluation Report on the Exxon/Valdez Alaska Oil Spill
NIOSH Interim Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Deepwater Horizon Response Workers
Potential Hazards to Deepwater Horizon Response Workers
Science Blog: NIOSH's Role in the Deepwater Horizon Response
Tips for Deepwater Horizon Workers
HAZARD INFORMATION
All hazards
- NIOSH/OSHA Interim Guidance for Protecting Deepwater Horizon Response Workers and Volunteers
- NIEHS Training Tool: Safety Awareness for Oil Spill Cleanup Workers
- NIOSH Potential Hazards Summary Table
Benzene
Chemical dispersants
- NIOSH: Reducing Occupational Exposures while Working with Dispersants During the Gulf Oil Spill Response
- NIOSH/OSHA Interim Guidance: Chemical Dispersants
Chemical hazards
- NIOSH Chemical Exposure Assessment Considerations for Use in Evaluating Deepwater Horizon Response Workers and Volunteers
- Chemical Hazards (for Emergency Responders)
Fatigue
- NIOSH/OSHA Interim Guidance: Fatigue Prevention
- National Response Team Guidance for Managing Worker Fatigue During Disaster Operations
Fuel oils
Heat stress
- NIOSH/OSHA Interim Guidance: Heat Stress
- NIOSH Fast Facts Card: Protecting Yourself from Heat Stress
Hurricanes
- NIOSH: Protecting Workers and Volunteers Responding On-Shore to Hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico
- NIEHS Hurricane Resources
Mosquitoes
- NIOSH Fast Facts Card: Protecting Yourself from Ticks and Mosquitoes
- NIOSH Brochure: Recommendations for Protecting Outdoor Workers from West Nile Virus Exposure
Poisonous plants
Respiratory protection
- NIOSH/OSHA Interim Guidance: Respiratory Protection
- NIOSH Respirator Recommendations Summary Table
- NIOSH Respirator Trusted-Source Information Page
- NIOSH Respirator Page
Snakes
Stinging insects
Stress
- Managing Your Stress: Tips for Deepwater Horizon Response and Volunteer Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-155 - Managing Traumatic Incident Stress for Deepwater Horizon Response and Volunteer Workers
- SAMHSA Mental Awareness in Times of Emotional Distress
Sun exposure
OTHER GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
HHS Safety and Training of Oil Spill Response Workers and Volunteers
CDC 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
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- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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