HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN CRUDE OIL TRANSPORT: LESSONS FROM THE EXXON VALDEZ SPILL

Abstract

Workplace accidents, especially in high-risk work environments, are inevitable attimes. However, inadequate attention to health, safety, and environmental management (HSEM)in the workplace can lead to accidents that can significantly harm humans and the naturalenvironment. The study examined Health, Safety and Environmental complexities resulting fromthe 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) shipping accident in Alaska. The methodology adoptedfor the study involved secondary data collection using an exploratory approach. Study results showthat EVOS led to serious environmental degradation and also caused significant sociocultural,psychological, economic and health impacts. The main complexity and interaction of HSEMresulting from EVOS is the dilemma of balancing HSE goals with economic goals. Even thoughthe prevalence of shipping tanker accidents resulting in oil spills has significantly reduced,accidents attributable to human inadequacies still occur. Also, post-traumatic stress disorderscaused by the social, economic and environmental effects of EVOS are still felt in the areasaffected. In addition, the remediation techniques applied have not been very effective in mitigatingthe spill