BP to hire independent panel for US refinery safety
23 Aug '05
4 min read
BP continues to fully cooperate with the CSB, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
BP's wholehearted acceptance of the CSB's recommendation to establish an independent panel does not mean the company agrees with all of the information or conclusions contained in the preamble to the CSB recommendation. BP will issue its final incident investigation report in late September.
The final report will build on the findings and recommendations contained in the interim investigation report issued May 17 and will identify the underlying causes of the incident. Like the interim report, it will contain recommendations for future action.
BP continues to make corrective actions recommended in the May 17 report. The company has appointed a new refinery manager, a new health, safety and environment manager, a new compliance manager and a new maintenance manager.
The organization has been simplified, to ensure everyone involved in maintenance and operation of the refinery knows what they are accountable for and to whom they are accountable. Roles, responsibilities and expectations around start-up, operating, maintenance and evacuation procedures have been clarified. Action has been taken to ensure procedures are followed across the site.
On a longer-term basis, the company will halt the venting of heavier-than-air hydrocarbon vaporsfrom blow-down drums and stacks in the refinery. The company has prohibited the occupancy of office trailers within 500 feet of blow down stacks and flares and has leased a 100,000-square foot building in downtown Texas City to provide offices for employees whose work does not require their presence at the refinery.
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