BP attacked over refinery death blast

BP was accused of failing to ensure the safety at its refineries in the United States today in a devastating blow to the oil giant’s reputation.

An inquiry held in the aftermath of a fire at BP’s Texas City refinery which killed 15 workers in 2005 found safety culture problems at the firm.

The report, by former US secretary of state James Baker, said the company emphasised personal safety “but BP did not emphasise process safety”.