US Chemical Safety Board chairperson, Rafael Moure-Eraso, has called for “extensive improvements” to the regulation of refineries across America.
Mr Moure-Eraso made his comments in a new CSB safety video which explores the April 2nd 2010, explosion and fire at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington.
A proceeding investigation by the CBS concluded that an ageing heat exchanger catastrophically failed, triggering an explosion and fire that fatally injured seven workers. The incident marked the largest loss of life at a US refinery since 2005.
“The CSB is seriously concerned by the number of deadly refinery accidents in recent years,” says Mr Moure-Eraso in the safety video.
“Extensive improvements,” he adds, “must be made in how refineries are regulated at the state and federal levels.”
Watch the safety video now
More about the US Chemical Safety Board
The US Chemical Safety Board is an independent federal agency tasked with the prime objective of investigating industrial chemical accidents.
Whilst the Board does not issue citations or fines, it is responsible for making safety recommendations to plants, industry organisations, labour groups and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.
