BP safety record reads like a rap sheet

The brunt of the attention regarding potential culpability in the Transocean Deepwater Horizon tragedy fell upon platform owner Transocean Ltd. in the days following the explosion that killed 11 workers.

“I’m calling for an investigation of Transocean’s safety record by an independent panel,” said Houston maritime attorney Brian Beckcom. “Relying on an in house investigation is just not good enough.”


Now the attention is focusing on BP PLC, which leased the platform. An article aptly named “BP: A Sorry Safety Record,” lists a long scroll of safety wreckage at BP facilities during the past few years. The following are just a few of the headlines of those events.

“USA: BP fined again for ‘willful’ safety breaches”, March 10, 2010: OSHA proposed over $3 million in fines for 42 violations at a refinery in Oregon, Ohio in which BP often ignored or "severely delayed fixing known hazards in its refineries," said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

“USA: Poisoned BP workers get $100m payout”, February 20, 2010: BP was ordered to pay 10 workers at a Texas City refinery $100 million after becoming ill from a chemical release in 2007. 133 workers are suing in a related case.

“USA: BP hit with largest ever safety fine” , November 7, 2009: The company is nailed with an $87.4 million fine because they did not make safety corrections after a 2005 explosion at the Texas City refinery which killed 15 workers.

“Britain: BP neglect caused asbestos cancer”, July 5, 2008: Compensation was ordered paid to Wilf Human who died of mesothelioma in 1979.

“USA: BP looks to cut costs again”, February 9, 2008: The article reports that a reduction of 5,000 jobs was similar to a 2004 move that contributed to the deadly 2005 Texas City explosion.

“Global: BP exhausts $1.6bn Texas claims fund”, December 22, 2007: The company spent all of a fund allocated for paying claims.

“Global: BP gets record fine and probation”, November 3, 2007: BP was fined a $373 million for fraud and violation of safety and environmental laws.

“Britain: BP faces further safety attacks”, May 12, 2007: The company was ordered by the British government to improve safety conditions on North Sea rigs after having issued 14 warnings in the previous year.

“Britain: BP profits hit by safety failures and delays”, February 10, 2007: The company had to make production cuts in order to address safety concerns.

“USA: BP neglects victims, kills some more, spies on critics”, December 9, 2006: The report cites allegations that the company spied on bereaved family members and broke promises to victims.

“USA: Deadly BP gets a visible reminder”, 2006: Two workers died of injuries at the Texas City refinery in 2004.

“USA: BP fined over S1.4m for safety violations”, January 22, 2005: This was in connection to safety violations in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.

To see the complete list of headlines, click here.