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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| BP fined $87m for Texas explosion | BP fined $87m for Texas explosion |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| BP has been fined a record $87m (£53m) for failing to correct safety hazards at its Texas City refinery in the US. | BP has been fined a record $87m (£53m) for failing to correct safety hazards at its Texas City refinery in the US. |
| An explosion in 2005 at the Texas plant killed 15 people and injured 180 more. | An explosion in 2005 at the Texas plant killed 15 people and injured 180 more. |
| The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited 270 violations at the oil refinery, a US Labor Department official said. | The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited 270 violations at the oil refinery, a US Labor Department official said. |
| BP said it believed it was in "full compliance" with a 2005 settlement agreement with OSHA and would work with the agency to resolve the issue. | BP said it believed it was in "full compliance" with a 2005 settlement agreement with OSHA and would work with the agency to resolve the issue. |
| The $87m fine is the largest in OSHA's history. | The $87m fine is the largest in OSHA's history. |
| In 2005, BP paid a $21.3m fine to OSHA and entered into a four-year agreement to repair hazards at the Texas City refinery, which is the third largest in the US. | In 2005, BP paid a $21.3m fine to OSHA and entered into a four-year agreement to repair hazards at the Texas City refinery, which is the third largest in the US. |
| The latest fine follows a six-month inspection into whether BP had complied with that agreement. | The latest fine follows a six-month inspection into whether BP had complied with that agreement. |
| While we strongly disagree with [OSHA's] conclusions, we will continue to work with the agency to resolve our differences BP | While we strongly disagree with [OSHA's] conclusions, we will continue to work with the agency to resolve our differences BP |
| 'Can't happen again' | 'Can't happen again' |
| OSHA said the company had committed hundreds of new violations by failing to follow industry controls on pressure relief safety systems and other precautions. | OSHA said the company had committed hundreds of new violations by failing to follow industry controls on pressure relief safety systems and other precautions. |
| The safety violations found "could lead to another catastrophe", US Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said. | The safety violations found "could lead to another catastrophe", US Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said. |
| "An $87m fine won't restore those lives [lost in the 2005 explosion], but we can't let this happen again. Workplace safety is more than a slogan. It's the law," Ms Solis said. | "An $87m fine won't restore those lives [lost in the 2005 explosion], but we can't let this happen again. Workplace safety is more than a slogan. It's the law," Ms Solis said. |
| BP said in a statement: "While we strongly disagree with [OSHA's] conclusions, we will continue to work with the agency to resolve our differences." | BP said in a statement: "While we strongly disagree with [OSHA's] conclusions, we will continue to work with the agency to resolve our differences." |
| The firm will now have 15 days to either agree to pay the fine and take corrective action, or to contest the penalty through a hearing process. | The firm will now have 15 days to either agree to pay the fine and take corrective action, or to contest the penalty through a hearing process. |
| BP was fined $50m by the Department of Justice in 2007 to settle criminal charges stemming from the Texas explosion. | BP was fined $50m by the Department of Justice in 2007 to settle criminal charges stemming from the Texas explosion. |
| Lawyers for the victims' families said this was not enough. | Lawyers for the victims' families said this was not enough. |
| The company has also paid more than $2bn to settle civil lawsuits, and says it has invested more than $1 billion to repair safety problems at Texas City. | The company has also paid more than $2bn to settle civil lawsuits, and says it has invested more than $1 billion to repair safety problems at Texas City. |
| BP, who earlier this week reported third-quarter profits of $4.98bn, saw its shares fall 2.4% to 572.3 pence after OSHA's announcement. |