Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMSs) for Fuel Transportation in Ghana

Abstract

Accidents have been identified as one of the most pressing social challenges in recent years. Even as the oil and gas industry is seen as one of the lucrative sectors in Ghana, the repercussions of interruptions in the transportation process of these highly flammable materials have cost Ghana a lot. Thus, accidents related to the transportation of these harmful substances by road have claimed many lives and threatened the environment, such as towns along the Kumasi-Accra highway (N6). Hence, this study aims to assess the efficiency for the adoption and implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMSs) for fuel transportation in the downstream oil and gas industry along the Kumasi-Accra highway (N6). The study used the quantitative methods research design. First, the target population for the study were 200 fuel truck drivers from JK Horgle Company Limited. Next, out of the target population, 132 respondents were simple randomly sampled to answer a survey questionnaire. After the analysis was completed by utilising the ISO 45001 and Statistical Product for Social Sciences (SPSS v26), it was revealed that JK Horgle Company Limited had high compliance with the adoption and implementation of the current ISO 45001 standard, hence resulting into no loading and fuel transportation disruptions. Therefore, the study concluded that this institution’s OHSMSs comply with best practices. Because of the findings, it is recommended that fuel transporting companies should have fuel truck drivers who have solid background, better conditions of fuel trucks and obtain all necessary conditions liable to fuel transportation mishaps.