First-Responder Perceptions of Occupational Health and Safety Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Cleanup Operations: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify and describe factors that impacted first responder's health and safety during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup. Prediscussion survey and six focus group sessions conducted in May 2017 among Louisiana first responders. Among the 50 first responders 98.0% were male, 98% Caucasian, 95.3% non-Hispanic, 70.0% married, and group mean age, 40.6 years (SD = 9.8). Oil exposure was reported by 56.2% of first responders, with 59.3% reporting skin contact, 77.8% inhalation, 11.1% ingestion, and 36.7% visited a doctor after the oil spill event. The following four focus group themes emerged: 1) collaboration between fire personnel and incident command staff; 2) ensuring access to personal protective equipment; 3) establishing contamination control protocols; and 4) providing training. Louisiana first responders at the oil spill cleanup reported postevent health effects and factors to improve response activities.