Final Report Cites Lax OSHA Oversight At BP Texas City Plant - Local News
In a 335-page report, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said although the Texas City plant had had several fatal accidents over the last 30 years, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration had done only one process safety management inspection at the refinery, in 1998.
The report said the agency made other, unplanned inspections after accidents, complaints or referrals -- it didn't say how many -- but that those visits were typically narrower and shorter than planned inspections.
CSB clearly pointed a finger at London-based BP PLC for causing the explosion, noting in particular that "cost-cutting in the 1990s by Amoco and then BP left the Texas City refinery vulnerable to a catastrophe."
BP acquired the refinery when it merged with Amoco in 1998. Soon after, the report said, BP ordered a 25 percent, across-the-budget cut in fixed spending at its refineries. In a preliminary investigation of the accident released in October 2005, CSB said the Texas City plant fostered a culture of bad management and failed to recognize and correct problems.
"The combination of cost-cutting, production pressures and failure to invest caused a progressive deterioration of safety at the refinery," CSB Chairwoman Carolyn W. Merritt said of the latest findings.
Basically the findings found what the lawsuit did - BP put profit above human safety.............. BP is working restoring the communities faith but only cause they are forced to. Thier intentions seem to be honorable but they got a long road to follow before they are trusted again around here. They are making a dillegent effort tho. A fair ending to a very unfair event............
03-21-2007, 08:20 AM
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