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2 September 2005 - HSE Follow Progress of
CSB Investigation Into BP
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are following progress of
the investigations by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB),
into the disaster at the BP plant in Texas, where an explosion and fire occurred
on 23 March, 2005, at BP's Texas City Oil Refinery. The explosion
killed 15 workers and injured approximately 170.
Discussions on the situation have already taken place between
the HSE, the U.S. CSB and BP.
The Texas explosion case is likely to be referred to Federal
Prosecution, where penalties could lead to very heavy fines or even imprisonment
of 15 years for knowing endangerment and 1 year for negligent endangerment.
Mr. Kevin Allars, Head of the Chemical Industries Division in
the HSE's Hazardous Installations Directorate said:
"HSE has discussed directly, both with the US Chemical Safety
Board and with BP, the ongoing investigation work since the Texas incident, and
was aware of, and welcomed, the independent investigation board signalled by the
CSB in its urgent recommendation issued on 17 August.
"HSE's ongoing discussions with the UK industry will continue
to reflect on the US initiative, and to consider if anything further needs to be
done in the UK.
"HSE will also follow the progress of the various
investigations into the Texas incident, and will continue to review the need for
further work in the UK."
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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