The top honchos at BP will be sweating as they await today’s publication of the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s report into the Texas fire. By all accounts it will not make for comfortable reading.
The ante has been upped by the head of the Board who was she was “absolutely terrified” that a weak safety culture could have existed at BP. Speaking at a conference in Texas, Carolyn Merritt, the CSB’s chairman, said: “As the investigation unfolded, we were absolutely terrified that such a culture could exist at BP.”
In addition to its concerns about BP’s safety culture, the CSB said in its interim assessment of the explosion that cost-cutting at the refinery had “drastic effects”, adding: “Maintenance and infrastructure deteriorated over time, setting the stage for the disaster.”
Let’s see what the day brings.