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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| BP attacked over safety standards | BP attacked over safety standards |
| (about 2 hours 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. | BP has refused to comment, saying CSB has yet to issue its final report. |
| The explosion at the Texas City facility was the worst 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 the number of training staff at the plant had been cut by 73%. | |
| 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 |