April 20 Marks First Anniversary of BP Oil Spill

“I would like to take this opportunity to remember the 11 workers who were killed as a result of this catastrophic explosion and fire,” Moure-Eraso said. “We also wish to express our condolences to the families and coworkers whose lives will be forever impacted.”

Moure-Eraso explained that CSB’s independent, root-cause safety investigation examines “a number of critical offshore oil and gas process safety issues,” including blowout preventer testing, regulatory safety issues, safety management systems and human factor issues that may have contributed to the explosion.

“The CSB is evaluating the application to offshore major accident prevention of more rigorous safety management systems already in use by the oil industry in other sectors, such as refining,” Moure Eraso said. “The CSB is examining more effective existing safety standards applicable to key rig equipment, and automatic controls that could implement predetermined corrective actions if operating conditions exceed safe limits. The lack of such controls likely played a role in the accident but have not yet been examined and reported by other investigative bodies.”   

In an April 20 statement, BP Group Chief Executive Bob Dudley said, “We are committed to meet our obligations to those affected by this tragedy and we will continue our work to strengthen safety and risk management across BP. But most of all today, we remember 11 fellow workers and we deeply regret the loss of their lives.”

For more coverage of the BP disaster, see:

• National Safety Survey: Accidents Happen ... Or Do They?
• Managing Safety: BP Learns there IS a New Sheriff in Town
• Sandy Says: Where Was BP’s Credit Check?
• ‘Safest’ Year Ever?
• Minimizing Toxic Health Effects from the Gulf Oil Spill
• Expert: BP a Classic Example of How “Greenwashing” Can Engulf a Company in Perilous Waters
• Minority Business Leader Blasts BP’s ‘Failed Response’ to Gulf Area Workers
• OSHA’s Michaels Concerned Some Oil Spill Workers Not Receiving Proper Training
• BP Blowout Shows Safety Systems Should Protect Workers, Environment First
• House Hearing Raises Questions on Safety Protections for Offshore Oil Workers
• Consumer Responses to Gulf Oil Spill Reflect Americans' Changing Corporate Expectations
• CSB to Investigate Deepwater Horizon Blowout
• Consortium to Study, Minimize Effects of Gulf Oil Spill
• Michaels Identifies Oil Spill Cleanup Safety Concerns, BP Response Deficiencies
• OSHA Focuses on Safety of Oil Spill Responders