Hydrogen sulfide, a hazardous material which in high concentrations can result in death, is leaking from an Exxon refinery in Chalmette, Louisiana.
In low concentrations the results can “irritate the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system,” according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
Exxon said the levels being monitored aren't harmful at this time.
The leak, which evidently started on Wednesday, was attempted to be kept from going offsite by creating what was identified as a "large water curtain," according to a Bloomberg report.
It wasn't known if the death of a contractor at the refinery yesterday was connected to the leak.
Showing posts with label OSHA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OSHA. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
BP's (NYSE:BP) Texas City Probation Will Remain in Place
The Department of Justice says it won't be revoking the probation of BP (NYSE:BP) in relationship to the 2005 Texas City explosion which claimed the lives of 15 workers.
In a March 2009 deal, BP said it would pay a $50 million fine over the accident and go through a 3-year probation for the violation of air pollution laws in the U.S. connected to the explosion.
Terms of the deal with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were they were supposed to finish the work of installing automated safety equipment and perform a review of pressure-relief valves in the refinery.
When BP missed the deadline to complete the work OSHA notified prosecutors of the situation, and the company was fined $87 million for that and other safety problems which emerged later.
The response of the prosecutors was they “might seek revocation and/or extension of probation” until they came into compliance with the agreement.
Prosecutors, after talking to all parties involved, decided to give BP another 18 months to meet the required demands.
In a March 2009 deal, BP said it would pay a $50 million fine over the accident and go through a 3-year probation for the violation of air pollution laws in the U.S. connected to the explosion.
Terms of the deal with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were they were supposed to finish the work of installing automated safety equipment and perform a review of pressure-relief valves in the refinery.
When BP missed the deadline to complete the work OSHA notified prosecutors of the situation, and the company was fined $87 million for that and other safety problems which emerged later.
The response of the prosecutors was they “might seek revocation and/or extension of probation” until they came into compliance with the agreement.
Prosecutors, after talking to all parties involved, decided to give BP another 18 months to meet the required demands.
Monday, September 27, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Denies Texas City Refinery Leaking Gas
BP (NYSE:BP) had denied a claim by a Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee that a unit at its Texas City refinery is leaking gas. They claim the assertions by the lawyer that it represents an "extreme hazard" are inaccurate, although they didn't deny refinery's Pipestill 3A unit was leaking.
A letter from a lawyer to the company demanded they shut down the unit, or he'll petition a court to force them to do it.
BP noted the lawyer also sent out a press release at the same time contacting them.
"There is no need for Mr. Buzbee to be involved in this matter and no need for him to go to court," BP spokesman Michael Marr said in an e-mail to the Houston Chronicle. "Galveston County citizens and community leaders should be skeptical of claims by a lawyer with a presumed financial motive to make them. The fact that Mr. Buzbee sent his letter to the press at the same time as he sent it to BP suggests that publicity may be another goal."
Marr added that BP has contacted numerous government agencies about the equipment mentioned by Buzbee, including the the Texas attorney general, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Galveston County district attorney, the county health district, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Consequently, BP said it's none of Buzbee's business.
A letter from a lawyer to the company demanded they shut down the unit, or he'll petition a court to force them to do it.
BP noted the lawyer also sent out a press release at the same time contacting them.
"There is no need for Mr. Buzbee to be involved in this matter and no need for him to go to court," BP spokesman Michael Marr said in an e-mail to the Houston Chronicle. "Galveston County citizens and community leaders should be skeptical of claims by a lawyer with a presumed financial motive to make them. The fact that Mr. Buzbee sent his letter to the press at the same time as he sent it to BP suggests that publicity may be another goal."
Marr added that BP has contacted numerous government agencies about the equipment mentioned by Buzbee, including the the Texas attorney general, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Galveston County district attorney, the county health district, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Consequently, BP said it's none of Buzbee's business.
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