Chevron Workers Terminated in Drug Use Probe at Refinery

A company investigation of drug use at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo has led to the termination of eight Chevron employees and 11 employees of a contractor being barred from working at the sprawling facility, a company spokesman said Monday.

Private investigators hired by the oil firm in early July uncovered the use of small amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, according to Chevron spokesman Rod Spackman.

“As soon as we received this information, we felt it was important to act quickly and promptly. This all developed in the space of a couple weeks,” said Spackman.

The Chevron employees, who had worked at the refinery from one to 13 years, were either maintenance or security personnel, he said. None of the workers, who were paid from $9.50 to $16 an hour, were supervisors.

The investigation was announced in a July 20 memorandum to all employees from Mike Holmes, general manager of the refinery.

“Based on the results of this investigation, several employees are no longer employed by the company and a number of contractor employees are no longer permitted to work at our plant,” Holmes said in the memo.

“Our policy prohibits the use, possession, sale, purchase or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances on company property.”

Spackman declined to identify the employees, the contracting firm or the investigators. Chevron officials have briefed El Segundo police about the investigation but no arrests were made, he said.

Chevron has agreed to pay up to $20,000 for drug treatment for each former employee. Spackman declined to say whether the employees were fired or resigned.

Chevron requires drug tests of all new hires and of employees that management suspects of drug use. Employees with drug or alcohol problems are encouraged to seek treatment on a confidential basis.