Safety Culture, Policies and Practices in Nigerian Maritime Industry: The Exxon-Mobil Experience

John Nsikan Efiok^1*, Opeoluwa Oluseye², Tommy Uduak³, Raimi Olalekan⁴

¹Faculty of Business Administration, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
²Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton Solent University, Southampton, UK.
³Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Environmental Health Management, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ojsst.2015.53009                

Abstract

Over the years, issues on safety culture and policies in maritime industry have received widespread research attention. Some maritime firms have even gone further to anchor their safety policies on learned corporate culture. However, whether these policies are fully embraced and complied with by seamen is a different kettle of fish altogether. This study therefore, examines safety culture, policies and practices in Nigerian maritime industry with a view to ascertaining: the extent of freight men’ awareness and compliance to safety policies, identifying hindrances to conformity with safety policies and practices, and determining intervention options that management of Exxon-Mobil could use to foster safety compliance. The study adopts a survey approach, with structured questionnaire, and gathering primary data from seamen onboard. The findings reveal that workers are aware of the various safety policies and practices put in place by management, but adherence is impeded by several factors-inadequate staff strength, crew fatigue, and poor wages. Others include contract labour, inadequate safety training, complacency, and high risk tolerance. Surprisingly, improper handover and supervisory interference were not potent enough to hinder compliance with safety regulations at sea.

Keywords

Safety Culture, Marine Vessel, Safety Policy and Strategy, Maritime Industry

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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