OSHA issues record fine against BP

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined British oil company BP $87.4 million, the largest penalty the federal agency has ever issued for safety violations, it was announced this morning.

Fifteen people died and 170 were injured in a March 2005 explosion at BP’s Texas City, Texas, refinery. BP agreed in September of that year to correct the safety problems.

The record fine came after a six-month inspection by OSHA, designed to evaluate the extent to which BP has complied with its obligations under the 2005 agreement, the agency said in a release posted on its website.

“When BP signed the OSHA settlement from the March 2005 explosion, it agreed to take comprehensive action to protect employees. Instead of living up to that commitment, BP has allowed hundreds of potential hazards to continue unabated,” Labor Secretary Hilda Solis stated.

BP said it believed it was in “full compliance” with the settlement and would work with the government to resolve the issue.

“We are disappointed that OSHA took this action in advance of the full consideration of the Review Commission,” the London-based company said in an e-mailed statement, referring to an inquiry by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, a body separate to OSHA.

“While we strongly disagree with their conclusions, we will continue to work with the agency to resolve our differences,” the company said.

-- Michael Muskal
twitter.com/LATimesmuskal