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Many who live in the Houston area will never forget the images of the explosion at the BP refinery in Texas City.  The March 2005 blast killed 15 people and more than 170 went to the hospital.

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BP refinery explosion, Texas City (2005)

Federal investigators revealed a history of safety problems there.  On Tuesday they will release their preliminary findings on the explosion that might suggest BP managers knew about those problems.

It was the worst workplace accident in the United States since 1989.  In hindsight, most everyone agrees, from the Chemical Safety Board to BP itself.  The Texas City refinery was an accident waiting to happen.   Something reflected in the preliminary findings of an 18 month investigation by the CSB.

“The documents demonstrate that the knowledge of the problems was well disseminated within middle and even into upper management,” said Barbara Shook, Energy Intelligence Group.

Among CSB’s preliminary findings: A lack of leadership competence, a widespread tolerance of noncompliance with basic safety rules and a checkbook mentality, citing budget cuts that resulted in a progressive deterioration of safety. 

And on the most recent edition of “60 Minutes” CSB Chairman Carolyn Merritt discussed the findings with Ed Bradley.

“Is there a direct relation ship between the budget cut and the disaster?” Ed Bradley asked Merritt. 

“We believe there is,” she responded.

“People do not have to die because they’re earning a living,” Merritt said. 

“You think this accident could have been easily prevented?” asked Bradley. 

“Absolutely,” said Merritt.

In BP’s defense, problems at the refinery predated its purchase of it from Amoco in 1998.  But despite warnings of the potential for a major incident at the site two and a half years before the explosion, the CSB says company initiatives focused on personnel safety, rather than equipment safety.

“But gee, that’s like taking an aspirin for a sinus infection.  It’s not going to cure the underlying problem,” Shook said.

BP spokesperson Neil Chapman said, “We agree with CSB that the explosion was a preventable tragedy.  We’ve accepted responsibility for it and we’re deeply sorry for what occurred.”

BP said it has invested tens of millions of dollars on safety improvements in Texas City since the explosion.

It has reached settlements with all of the families who had someone die, except one.  That case goes to trial in Galveston next week.