Some Gulf cleanup workers are not receiving the training they require to carry out their jobs safely and effectively, it has been claimed.

Commenting on US TV network C-SPAN, David Michaels, director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), said that although four hours of oil training might be enough for some beach workers, others must be entitled to more.

The OSHA director was responding to a report from investigative news website ProPublica that highlighted the risk involved in oil cleanup operations, particularly from hazardous chemicals such as benzene and toluene.

Mr Michaels told the channel's Washington Journal programme: "We agree with much of what is said there.

"We've told BP that for workers on vessels who are pulling up boom which is contaminated by oil, more training is needed."

He went on to say that government guidelines on chemical exposure limits are "outrageously out of date", ProPublica reports.

The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig sank on April 22nd following an explosion two days earlier.

Oil & Gas Directory: Training & Development