Two BP refineries in the U.S. have received 97 percent of the “egregious willful” safety violations found in the refining industry by federal inspectors since 2007, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity. The “egregious willful” classification is for violations of a federal rule meant to prevent catastrophic events.
While currently struggling to contain the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, BP has been under scrutiny by federal regulators since a 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery killed 15 workers. The Texas City refinery and a BP refinery in Toledo, Ohio, were cited for a total of 862 safety violations between 2007 and 2010.
Last October, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed an $87 million fine for the Texas City refinery. The company with the second-most citations was Sunoco, Inc. with 127 violations since 2007.
“The only thing you can conclude is that BP has a serious, systemic safety problem in their company,” Jordan Barab, deputy assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, told the Center.
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“Egregiously willful” violations are not the worst type of violation. “Seriously citations” are the most serious type of government citation and of those, BP had the lowest number in the industry.
Nice comment Frank… That really makes a difference now that they made the gulf a steamy toxic pool of floating garbage. I guess you were arguing that they are safe… Good Job buddy. Here is your sign..