Region 6 News Release: OSHA-09-823-DAL
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites Corpus Christi, Texas-based oil refinery for safety and health hazards

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited BTB Refining LLC for multiple safety and health violations following an inspection at the company's worksite on Up River Road in Corpus Christi. Proposed penalties total $88,250.

"Health and safety standards must be adhered to in order to protect employees from injuries and accidents," said Michael Rivera, OSHA's area director in Corpus Christi.

OSHA's Corpus Christi Area Office began its investigation Jan. 12. The investigation, which was part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Process Safety Management in refineries, resulted in two alleged willful and 11 alleged serious violations. The willful citations were for failing to ensure the control room and employee trailers were properly located to protect employees in case of an emergency and for failure to conduct a thorough process hazard analysis. OSHA issues a willful citation when there is evidence of the intentional violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act or plain indifference to its requirements.

The serious citations included failing to provide loading placards and caution signs; to ensure that open-sided floors, runways and shafting on machinery were adequately guarded; and to provide employees with emergency shut down procedures. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

BTB Refining, a petroleum refining facility which employs about 34 workers, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Corpus Christi, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards may contact OSHA's Corpus Christi Area Office at 361-888-3420 or call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to employees.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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