BP Refuses to Correct Conditions Which Caused 2005 Refinery Explosion
OSHA has cited British Petroleum an additional $87 Million for failing to complete safety upgrades mandated under a previous settlement between OSHA and BP related to the massive 2005 refinery explosion at the BP Texas City refinery. OSHA also filed an additional 439 new safety violations which it alleges are “willful.” The willful violations are primarily related to pressure release mechanisms and safety systems at the Texas City refinery.
In keeping with its general litigious course of conduct, BP is challenging the additional OSHA citations and is also claiming that the work to be performed under the previous settlement agreement did not have to be performed until September of this year.
The 2005 explosion killed 15 workers and caused hundreds of workplace injuries and burn injuries. Given the safety problems at the BP refinery, some people, including industrial injury lawyers and public servants, believe the closing of the BP refinery remains a possibility.
