L&I focus on petroleum refinery safety finds multiple violations at Equilon


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June 25, 2008

L&I focus on petroleum refinery safety finds multiple violations at Equilon

Audio available

TUMWATER — The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has cited Shell Oil Co.’s Equilon refinery in Anacortes for violations found as a result of a focused inspection aimed at reducing the likelihood of catastrophic events associated with petroleum refinery operations.

Equilon was the first of Washington’s four large refineries to have a comprehensive inspection as part of a federal National Emphasis Program aimed at inspecting all petroleum refineries in the U.S. The national program began last year as a result of the 2005 explosion and fire at a BP America refinery in Texas that killed 15 employees and injured another 170.

L&I cited Equilon for 23 “serious” safety and health violations, which carry proposed penalties totaling $109,600. A “serious” violation is cited when there is the potential for death or serious physical injury from the violation.

The inspections focus on a refinery’s development and implementation of systems designed to reduce or mitigate the potential for catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals. Refineries are required to identify, evaluate, and control process hazards; develop and implement mechanical integrity programs; and train operators who must monitor and respond to deviations in the process.

A team of L&I officers went to the refinery two days a week for two months to conduct the detailed inspection, in addition to reviewing 10,000 pages of documents.

The inspection found:

Deficiencies in the compilation of process safety information.
Failure to identify, evaluate and control process hazards such as those relating to atmospheric releases of highly hazardous chemicals into the work area, potential failure of existing engineering and administrative safety controls, and human performance issues during emergencies.
Deficiencies with the development and implementation of mechanical integrity programs, such as inspection and testing of safety systems and other control devices designed to prevent or mitigate catastrophic events.
Inadequate training programs to ensure operators understand and respond appropriately to process upsets and other emergency operating conditions.
Failure to evaluate changes to process equipment and ensure safety reviews are completed prior to placing equipment back into service.
Controlling activities in covered process areas.

The employer has 15 working days to appeal the citation.

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For media information: Elaine Fischer, 360-902-5413


	Radio broadcast version: The Department of Labor & Industries has cited Shell Oil Company’s Equilon refinery in Anacortes for violations found as a result of a focused inspection aimed at reducing the likelihood of catastrophic events associated with petroleum refineries. L&I cited Equilon for 23 serious safety and health violations, with penalties totaling $109,600. Equilon was the first of Washington’s four large refineries to have a comprehensive inspection as part of a National Emphasis Program aimed at inspecting all refineries in the U.S. The national program began last year as a result of 2005 explosion in Texas that killed 15 employees and injured 170.

Audio message (15 seconds)

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Voice of Elaine Fischer, L&I communications manager: "Nobody wants to see the kind of disaster, with the loss of life, that happened at the refinery in Texas. That's why we're doing these inspections and why it's so important to the safety of the workers who work in our refineries."