Health and Safety

The Australian Institute of Petroleum has since 1980 sponsored the development and operation of an independent epidemiology program called Health Watch.

This research program, linked with Monash University, studies people who have worked in the Australian oil and gas industry (including exploration, production and refining) to assess their mortality rates, cancer incidences and eventual causes of death.

Health Watch has followed about 19,000 past and present employees during their time in the industry and after they leave or retire. It also compares this information with the general Australian population.

Health Watch clearly shows that petroleum industry employees have better health than the general Australian community and are less likely to die of the diseases commonly causing death – including cancer, heart and respiratory conditions.

The overall cancer rate of employees in the petroleum industry is no different to general Australian average cancer rate, but the overall death rates from cancer are significantly lower than Australia's average death rates from cancer. The death rates for heart disease, stroke, respiratory and digestive diseases and other causes (such as accidents) are significantly lower than the comparable Australian rates.

For more information, go to www.aip.com.au/health/ohs.htm