OSHA fines BP refinery $2.4 million for unsafe operations
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on April 25 fined BP Products North America Inc. more than $2.4 million for unsafe operations at the company’s Oregon, Ohio, refinery. OSHA’s inspection identified a number of violations similar to those found during an investigation of the fatal explosion at BP’s Texas City, Texas, refinery that claimed the lives of 15 workers and injured more than 170 others.
“It is extremely disappointing that BP Products failed to learn from the lessons of Texas City to assure their workers’ safety and health,” said Edwin Foulke Jr., OSHA assistant secretary. “Our Enhanced Enforcement Program (EEP) exists for companies like this who, despite our enforcement and outreach efforts, ignore their obligations under the law and continually place their employees at risk.”