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OSHA News Release
2007 - 07/20/2007 - U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA fines BP Products North America |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 6 News Release: OSHA-07-789-DAL July 20, 2007 Contact: Diana Petterson and Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA fines BP Products North America
HOUSTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued one willful and four serious citations with penalties totaling $92,000 to BP Products North America for violations found at the BP Texas City refinery near Houston. The citations follow an inspection that is part of OSHA's monitoring of the refinery following a March 2005 explosion that killed 15 employees and injured 170. OSHA today cited BP for four violations of 29 CFR 1910.119, Process Safety Management (PSM), and one of 29 CFR 1910.307, Hazardous (classified) Locations. OSHA has continued to inspect and to monitor abatement of citations issued to BP in September 2005 following the fatal explosion and fire at Texas City, as well as BP's compliance with an agreement signed at the time the 2005 citations were issued, under which BP agreed to address PSM systems and equipment throughout the refinery. Today's citations include an alleged willful violation for the failure to ensure that the pressure relief system for a large pressure vessel called the "fractionator" conformed to industry codes. The hazard cited is that the inadequate pressure relief equipment could fail, leading to another catastrophic accident. In addition, four alleged serious violations relate to the following failures: to identify, to evaluate and to address the hazards in the fractionator processing unit; to ensure that piping and instrument diagrams were accurate; to ensure the installation of the correct type of pressure relief valves; and to ensure use of intrinsically safe (non-sparking) electrical equipment in locations where flammable liquids and gases are processed. "The citations issued today are based on the identification of hazardous conditions similar to those that led to the tragic March 2005 explosion," said Dean McDaniel, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional disregard of the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act or plain indifference to employee safety or health. A serious violation is one that could cause death or serious physical harm to employees and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, to request an informal conference with the Houston South area director or to contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards may call OSHA's Houston South Area Office at (281) 286-0583 or OSHA's toll-free hotline at (800) 321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to employees. OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The agency has a vigorous enforcement program, having conducted more than 38,000 inspections last year and exceeding its inspection goals in each of the last seven years. In fiscal year 2006, OSHA found nearly 84,000 violations of its standards and regulations. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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