Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs
Open Access

Abstract

Research suggests that insufficient attention has been given to the psychosocial health, wellbeing, social life of an oil and gas offshore and terminal employee and family. Offshore installations have been described as among the harshest and most stressful work environments in the world. The oil and gas industry in Nigeria accounts for over 40% of gross domestic product and is a major employer. Shift work is an integral aspect of offshore and crude oil terminal employment. Offshore and terminal workers are frequently engaged in work that takes them away from their family for 2 weeks at a time, followed by 2 weeks off at home, or 2 months at work and one 1 month off work. Such shift patterns have been reported to impact negatively on workers� health. The instability of personal and social behavioral structures based on the nature of the work schedule has been associated with impairment to health and family, social life. Absence due to offshore shift work have been reported as impacting on marital relationships, parental roles and children�s education, social contacts and leisure activities leading to social isolation. The aim of this research is to establish the psychosocial and psychological impact of oil and gas offshore and terminal shift pattern on employees and families and to determine individual and family coping strategies and organizational management strategies. Based upon the research findings, policy guidance for the Nigerian oil and gas industry on managing the psychosocial and psychological impacts of offshore work patterns will be developed. This work will offer an account of the perceived impact of shift work and associated absence on employees and families and help to determine coping strategies which can be used to inform the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Biography