Panel Says BP Process Safety Was Lacking In Fatal Explosion (15 killed)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/5081

Panel Says BP Process Safety Was Lacking In Fatal Explosion

A new study finds BP at fault in the 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers. Jesse Russell reports.

British oil company BP is in the hot seat after an independent panel released a study Tuesday saying the company failed to emphasize process safety leading up to a 2005 refinery explosion that killed 15 workers. Led by former Secretary of State James Baker, the panel said that in making gains on improving personal injury rates, the company lagged in overall safety performance. The company has said it will implement the 10 recommendations laid out by the panel. The 2005 explosion at the Texas City refinery resulted in the company setting aside $1.6 billion to resolve legal disputes related to the accident. After the explosion the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said the company failed to address bad management at the plant which resulted in a failure to address ongoing problems. The plant had been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of committing more than 300 violations of rules and safety standards. Those violations resulted in 21.3 million dollars in fines.