Disturbed by three deaths at BP's Texas City refinery in 2004, the head of the plant at the time launched an effort to find out how many workers had died there in the previous 30 years, only to be surprised no one else in the company was shocked.
Don Parus discovered 22 people had died in the time frame. He later discovered a 23rd.
Parus, whose employment at BP ended Jan. 1, was testifying this morning in the latest civil trial related to the 2005 explosion that killed 15 people and injured scores more at the refinery.
BP has admitted blame for the disaster, but the company questions the extent of the injuries and the $950 million claim sought by 10 workers allegedly hurt in the blast.
Parus said his investigation didn't make waves within the company.
"It didn't shock anybody like thought it would," he said. Until Jan. 1, Parus had remained on paid leave with BP since a few weeks after the blast. His findings about the deaths prompted him to launch a survey of refinery employees to gauge the safety culture at the plant. Workers ranked making money as BP's top priority and people as the last.
New to the refinery in 2004, Parus said he fought a frustrating battle with BP executives to improve the refinery. He asked for more money to make infrastructure improvements, was given a budget increase and then BP cut it back, Parus said.
"I pushed back ... on every front," he said.
Don Parus discovered 22 people had died in the time frame. He later discovered a 23rd.
Parus, whose employment at BP ended Jan. 1, was testifying this morning in the latest civil trial related to the 2005 explosion that killed 15 people and injured scores more at the refinery.
BP has admitted blame for the disaster, but the company questions the extent of the injuries and the $950 million claim sought by 10 workers allegedly hurt in the blast.
Parus said his investigation didn't make waves within the company.
"It didn't shock anybody like thought it would," he said. Until Jan. 1, Parus had remained on paid leave with BP since a few weeks after the blast. His findings about the deaths prompted him to launch a survey of refinery employees to gauge the safety culture at the plant. Workers ranked making money as BP's top priority and people as the last.
New to the refinery in 2004, Parus said he fought a frustrating battle with BP executives to improve the refinery. He asked for more money to make infrastructure improvements, was given a budget increase and then BP cut it back, Parus said.
"I pushed back ... on every front," he said.
Source: Houston Chronicle| By BRAD HEM
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