Revision 2016
When an oil spill occurs, the issue of health and safety, both for the public and oil spill responders, is a serious consideration. It is recognized that health and safety are managed in many different ways around the world, with highly regulated prescriptive regimes which legislate actions in some countries and risk-based systems in others. This document focuses on identifying the principal issues when an oil spill occurs, their degree of severity, and the practical steps that can be taken to minimize the impact of the spill on the health and safety of those involved in responding to it. Although this document is primarily intended to address oil spills on water, it may also be of use in the event of an inland spill.
