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In response to a tragic accident at an oil refinery, OSHA has implemented policy changes that should impact Arkansas worker safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as OSHA, made these changes in response to an investigation of the oil refinery explosion.

An explosion ripped through a BP oil refinery in the spring of 2005. This refinery was located near Houston, and the images on television showed flames tearing through the sky and debris falling all around. This oil refinery employed 1,800 workers. Sadly, 100 of those workers were injured in the explosion. Even more tragically, 15 people died as a result of the explosion.

Following this horrible explosion, OSHA made the safety of oil refinery workers a priority. This commitment on the part of the agency became clearer following a hearing that was held recently. This hearing concerned a report created by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, also known as CSB. This report was about the explosion at the Texas refinery.

OSHA is conducting inspections on all oil refineries that fall within its jurisdiction in an effort to improve worker safety. During an inspection of another oil refinery that BP owns and operates, OSHA discovered the same violations that lead to the explosion near Houston. The inspections are necessary because OSHA feels that oil companies won’t, of their own volition, take the necessary steps to protect workers.

To conduct these inspections, OSHA has added 160 trained workers so far. These inspectors are trained in conducting Process Safety Management (PSM) inspections. By the end of August, 2007, the number of inspectors trained in conducting PSM inspections will have grown to 280. 

Along with state partners, OSHA completed 100 inspections of oil refineries in 2006. They have performed an additional 50 inspections so far in 2007. These inspections are important because they help protect workers. As the US Department of Labor discovered, BP learned nothing from the tragic death of workers near Houston. The inspections by OSHA should help.

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