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BP Paper Trail Shows Many Warnings on Safety Shortcuts

Workers were pressured into not reporting safety problems

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 8, 2010 8:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – BP bosses can't claim they weren't warned that the company risked disaster if it didn't start obeying safety and environmental laws, according to internal memos an insider has leaked to ProPublica. A series of investigations, focusing on the company's Alaska operations, found that management, putting oil production far ahead of safety concerns, neglected aging equipment, skimped on inspections, and pressured employees not to report problems.

The inquiries were conducted by outside lawyers and an internal BP committee in 2001, 2004, and 2007, ProPublica notes. One 2001 report found that facilities in Alaska were lacking gas and fire detection sensors and emergency shutoff valves.The same systems weren't operating in the Deepwater Horizon rig before it exploded. Even before April 20, BP had more high-profile accidents than any other oil company, leading the EPA to consider banning the company from further federal contracts and drilling leases, EPA officials tell ProPublica.

Oil transit and other pipelines run a BP's facility at the Prudhoe Bay oil field on Alaska's North Slope.
Oil transit and other pipelines run a BP's facility at the Prudhoe Bay oil field on Alaska's North Slope.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo, file)
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They are a recurring environmental criminal and they do not follow US. health safety and environmental policy. - Jeanne Pascal, a former EPA attorney who led the investigations into BP

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
cognitivefilter
Jun 9, 2010 3:52 AM CDT
"AMERICA! FUCK YEAH!"
Ultraworld
Jun 9, 2010 3:17 AM CDT
"BP bosses can't claim they weren't warned that the company risked disaster if it didn't start obeying safety and environmental laws"

It amazes me how college educated executives get amnesia when it comes to little things like risking disaster. I don't remember & my dog ate my homework wont get it. I want to see BP employees in charge going to jail. There are 716 rigs in the Gulf, we have to get tough & be vigilant that procedures are being followed to a T.
oneworld
Jun 8, 2010 8:31 PM CDT
Why should we even care or do anything about this? After all, Texas Governor Perry questioned whether the spill was “just an act of God that occurred” and that “From time to time there are going to be things that occur that are acts of God that cannot be prevented.” Wow, only if his god talked to me and gave me some excuses....

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