Excerpt from: EHS Industry Solutions
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| November 03, 2006 | | Safety problems ignored by top BP executives in Refinery Accident | Internal BP documents revealed that company executives had known for years of significant safety problems at the Texas City, Texas refinery that eventually led to the March 2005 explosion. According to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), faulty equipment and staff reductions contributed to a series of explosions leaving 15 people dead, and another 170 injured, making it the nation’s worst industrial accident in over a decade. However, BP still blames the workers for the refinery tragedy. According to BP spokesperson Neil Chapman, “…the while the problems that led up to [the Texas City tragedy] were complex," ultimately the incident was caused by "a failure to follow the procedures that were laid down." The Texas City, TX refinery is no stranger to death. The March 2005 explosion was not the only major accident the plant had experienced. According to CSB, BP acknowledged 23 deaths at the plant in the previous 30 years; one worker had died, on average, every 16 months. by
Erin Swanson
Eswanson@enviance.com | | |
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