The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has handed $36 million to 20 training providers in the US to improve occupational safety for those involved in hazardous waste operations and transportation, environmental restoration of contaminated facilities, and chemical emergency response.

As part of its expansive programme to improve industrial safety standards, the NIEHS has awarded funds to five oil and gas training companies working in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure health and safety standards compliance in the ongoing Deepwater Horizon cleanup operation.

Although the Macondo well has now been killed, response teams are still working extensively to assess the long-term impact of the disaster and restore the status quo ante in the Gulf.

Linda Birnbaum, director of NIEHS and the National Toxicology Programme, explained that the NIEHS has played an instrumental role in ensuring high safety standards in the emergency response sector for the past three decades.

"These grants will ensure that those on the front lines and in the greatest danger have the skills they need to protect themselves, their communities and the environment," she said.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development