The United Steelworkers (USW) disputes the oil industry’s claim that oil refineries are doing a lot to address safety issues.

“If this is such a safe industry, why did six workers die as a result of the April 2 explosion and fire at Tesoro’s Anacortes, Wash., refinery?” asked USW Vice President Gary Beevers, who heads the union’s oil sector. “Why do we see accidents, releases and near misses almost daily? Why are so many refineries failing OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) inspections? Why not open the Voluntary Protection Program sites to NEP inspections?”

Voluntary Protection Program participants develop and implement systems to identify, evaluate, prevent and control occupational hazards to prevent employee injuries and illnesses. OSHA removes participants from programmed inspection lists ... more