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OPA News Release:
TEXAS COMPANIES SETTLE SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS
Will Pay More Than $2.1 Million in Penalties,
Hire Safety and
Health Consultants
WASHINGTON -- Phillips Petroleum Company has agreed to pay over
$2 million in penalties for safety and health violations at its complex in
Pasadena, Texas, as part of a settlement agreement announced today by U.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Additionally, Chevron Phillips Chemical
Company, which now owns and operates the facility, will hire dedicated safety
and health consultants to ensure compliance with OSHA’s process safety
management standards.
“This settlement cannot replace the life that was lost nor make up
for the pain suffered by those injured in a catastrophic accident nearly two
years ago,” Chao said. “But, it does mean that Phillips and Chevron
employees will be working in safer environments and it signals this
administration’s commitment to crack down on workplace safety
violations.”
The agreement settles citations issued against Phillips’ Houston
Chemical Complex in Pasadena in September 2000, following an explosion six
months earlier that killed one worker and injured 69 others. Under the
settlement agreement, Phillips Petroleum will pay a penalty of $2,169,500.
Chevron Phillips has agreed to retain the services of both a process safety
management training and operating procedures consultant. Each consultant will
conduct comprehensive reviews of the training program and standard operating
procedures at the K-Resin facility. The company has agreed to implement all
feasible recommendations of the consultants by July 31, 2002.
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