An unsafe culture that pervaded London-based BP was behind a deadly explosion at the company's giant Texas oil refinery in 2005, and the US agency charged with worker safety failed to spot the warning signs, federal investigators said today.
The draft final report from the US Chemical Safety Board was the first to assign a share of blame to the US government for the nation's worst industrial accident in decades, which killed 15 workers and injured 180 others.
"Rules already on the books would likely have prevented the tragedy in Texas City," said CSB Chairman Carolyn Merritt. "But, if a company is not following those rules, it is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government to enforce good safety practices before more lives are lost."
The report dealt another blow to BP, beset by a string of mishaps at its US operations that has sullied its reputation and caused tens of millions of dollars in liability.
The US Department of Justice is investigating whether BP is criminally responsible in the blast.
The report said cost-cutting, worker fatigue, and a failure by all levels of BP management to address safety issues contributed to the accident.
"Process safety programs to protect the lives of workers and the public deserve the same level of attention, investment, and scrutiny as companies now dedicate to maintaining their financial controls," Mr Merritt said.
The CSB is scheduled to vote on the report at a public meeting tonight in Texas City within sight of the BP refinery, still hobbled by the explosion on March 23, 2005.
BP issued a statement today saying it disagreed strongly with parts of the CSB report, but said it will consider the report's recommendations.
The CSB was "absolutely terrified" by the poor safety culture at the refinery, Ms Merritt said in a speech yesterday.
BP said its own investigation and an independent probe led by former US Secretary of State James Baker pointed to the failed safety culture, which the company said it is working to change.
"We are addressing the safety culture issues across BP, as we have been doing since the accident in 2005," BP spokesman Ronnie Chappell said.