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BP attacked over safety standards | BP attacked over safety standards |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB), the federal body which investigates major industrial accidents, has attacked safety standards at UK oil giant BP. | The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB), the federal body which investigates major industrial accidents, has attacked safety standards at UK oil giant BP. |
Its findings follow an investigation into the March 2005 blast at BP's Texas City refinery near Houston that killed 15 people and injured 180. | Its findings follow an investigation into the March 2005 blast at BP's Texas City refinery near Houston that killed 15 people and injured 180. |
BBC Radio 4's File on 4 has found that the CSB says there were eight previous dangerous incidents at the plant. | BBC Radio 4's File on 4 has found that the CSB says there were eight previous dangerous incidents at the plant. |
BP has refused to comment, saying CSB has yet to issue its final report. | |
The explosion at the Texas City facility was the worse refinery accident in the US in 20 years. | The explosion at the Texas City facility was the worse refinery accident in the US in 20 years. |
'Reduced staff training' | 'Reduced staff training' |
The CSB alleges that the eight previous safety incidents at the facility were not property investigated, and that the right corrective actions were not taken. | The CSB alleges that the eight previous safety incidents at the facility were not property investigated, and that the right corrective actions were not taken. |
BP has also been hit by an oil leak scandal in Alaska | BP has also been hit by an oil leak scandal in Alaska |
It further claims that BP failed to adequately maintain instruments and equipment, and that staff training at the plant had been cut by more than 75%. | It further claims that BP failed to adequately maintain instruments and equipment, and that staff training at the plant had been cut by more than 75%. |
The CSB concludes that such cost cutting was part of a 25% reduction in fixed costs at the plant from 1998 to 2001, which had a serious impact on maintenance and infrastructure. | The CSB concludes that such cost cutting was part of a 25% reduction in fixed costs at the plant from 1998 to 2001, which had a serious impact on maintenance and infrastructure. |
Back in July, BP announced that it had set aside an extra $500m (£270m) to cover claims from the victims of the Texas City explosion, on top of the $700m it had already allocated. | Back in July, BP announced that it had set aside an extra $500m (£270m) to cover claims from the victims of the Texas City explosion, on top of the $700m it had already allocated. |
And last month, a US judge informed BP's chief executive, Lord Browne, that he would have to testify over the explosion. | And last month, a US judge informed BP's chief executive, Lord Browne, that he would have to testify over the explosion. |
Alaskan problem | Alaskan problem |
The ongoing aftermath of the Texas City blast is not the only safety investigation that BP faces in the US. | The ongoing aftermath of the Texas City blast is not the only safety investigation that BP faces in the US. |
In addition, the firm had to close part of its Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska earlier this year, after leaks were discovered in one of its pipes. | In addition, the firm had to close part of its Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska earlier this year, after leaks were discovered in one of its pipes. |
In early September, lawmakers at a congressional hearing said BP's neglect of pipelines in Alaska was "unacceptable". | In early September, lawmakers at a congressional hearing said BP's neglect of pipelines in Alaska was "unacceptable". |
The Prudhoe Bay oil field is the largest in the US. | The Prudhoe Bay oil field is the largest in the US. |
File on 4: How green is BP? is on Tuesday 24 October at 2000 BST on Radio 4 | File on 4: How green is BP? is on Tuesday 24 October at 2000 BST on Radio 4 |