Safety and Health Awareness for Oil Spill Cleanup Workers

Oil spill cleanup workers can face potential hazards from oil byproducts, dispersants, detergents and degreasers. Drowning, heat illness and falls also pose hazards, as can encounters with insects, snakes and other wild species native to the impacted areas. In these situations, OSHA goals include ensuring that workers receive appropriate training and protective equipment. This training tool was developed by National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, as a health and safety resource for those who will participate in an oil spill response and cleanup.