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US: BP challenges record fine for explosions in Texas

Date: 30 Oct 2009

Oil giant BP has said that it will challenge a record fine of over $87m levied for failing to correct problems that led to the explosion in 2005 that killed 15 workers.

The company said that it had been taken by surprise by the fine, which is considerably higher than any previous similar penalty, because it had thought there was good co-operation between it and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency over moves to improve site safety.

The OSHA says that BP has seriously failed to eliminate hazards similar to those that caused the explosion in the years since. BP strongly denies the claims, saying it has spent over $1bn putting in place 550 corrective actions to improve safety at the Texas refinery.

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