Management blunders blamed for refinery accidents
British safety chiefs today blamed management blunders at a BP refinery for a series of accidents that endangered the lives of workers and civilians.
The incidents occurred because the oil giant broke its own policies and failed to comply with the law, the British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found.
Bosses at the firm’s refinery in Grangemouth also failed to detect “deteriorating” standards, the British government’s safety watchdog said.
The report focused on three major accidents at the plant over 13 days in May and June 2000, which resulted in BP being prosecuted.
The company was fined £1m (€1.4m) by Falkirk Sheriff Court last year after pleading guilty to failing to ensure the safety of its staff.
The oil giant insists it has cleaned up its act but HSE chiefs fear the shedding of 1,000 jobs at the refinery could further compromise safety.