It seems some companies never learn... (1 Viewer)

Norwajun

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OSHA issues record $87 million fine to BP
By SAM HANANEL (AP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a record $87 million fine against oil giant BP PLC for failing to correct safety hazards after a 2005 explosion killed 15 people at its Texas City refinery.

The fine — the largest in OSHA's history — comes after a 6-month inspection revealed hundreds of violations of a 2005 agreement to repair hazards at the refinery.

OSHA also said the company committed hundreds of new violations by failing to follow industry controls on pressure relief safety systems and other precautions.

BP said it believed it was in "full compliance" with the settlement agreement and will work with government officials to resolve the issue.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gA7UiMYLuUZx7qmGVl1dGib4QkpgD9BLFCH81

One would have thought that the 15 lives lost in that explosion would have been incentive enough to clean up their act. Pitiful.
 
let this be a lesson as to why tort reform is not the answer to ANYTHING.


whether we're talking fines or lawsuits-- the *only* way to get any of these behemoth comapanies to get their act together is to hit them where it hurts: in the bottom line... the *only* way.
 
This may have been a Learned Hand "good accident". It may have been more cost effective for the company to pay the fine than to make the necessary corrections.

I would also note that this has nothing to do with tort law as it appears from the article that these were civil fines levied by OSHA.
 
This may have been a Learned Hand "good accident". It may have been more cost effective for the company to pay the fine than to make the necessary corrections.

I would also note that this has nothing to do with tort law as it appears from the article that these were civil fines levied by OSHA.

Good point. Sometimes it is more expensive to get into compliance. It might be why the fine was so exorbitant. They may have figured the fine would have been lower, OSHA may be trying to set a precedent by levying a larger than normal fine.
 
To anyone who has ever had to deal with OSHA, they can interpret a rule or law totally different than you do. You could think you're in compliance and they can come in and write you up for 50 different things.
 
I've always felt OSHA is a gimmick. More about money than safety. I am young and dumb though, so who knows?1
 
This has nothing to do with interpretations; rather it has everything to do with an agreement signed by BP senior management in 2005 to keep them out of jail. The fines originally levied were significantly reduced, and potential criminal charges were dropped, as part of a settlement agreement stemming from the 2005 explosion. BP's part was to enact the agreed-upon changes within a reasonable time frame. They did not, despite numerous warnings from OSHA.

http://www.osha.gov/dep/bp/bp.html

This is about their arrogance as an organization, pure and simple. I worked contract / consulting jobs across America for BP for about 6 years, I have seen this arrogance firsthand. They truly believe they did nothing wrong. In fact, after the incident, BP managers were claiming that "operator error" led to the explosion, despite what the investigations of 2 Agencies told them. This was also contrary to what was stated in the Baker Panel report, commisioned by BP. They think that they are above the law.

http://legacy.usw.org/usw/program/adminlinks/docs/summer-06_34-35.pdf

http://www.allbusiness.com/labor-employment/workplace-health-safety/5395310-1.html
 
let this be a lesson as to why tort reform is not the answer to ANYTHING.


whether we're talking fines or lawsuits-- the *only* way to get any of these behemoth comapanies to get their act together is to hit them where it hurts: in the bottom line... the *only* way.

Give me a break. 87 mil to BP is like 100 bucks to me ....meh ...big deal ....make it 8.7 billion ..that will get their attention.
 

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