Better safety data could help prevent oil industry disasters

By Rafael Moure-Eraso

In March 2005, 15 workers were killed in an explosion in Texas City shortly after returning from a celebratory luncheon at which BP refinery personnel were congratulated on an outstanding safety record. But the basis of the kudos - data indicating a low personal injury rate from accidents like slips, trips and falls - blinded operators, managers and top executives to more significant data concerning overall process safety that were warning that something catastrophic could hit the refinery.

http://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Better-safety-data-could-help-prevent-oil-3721167.php

to view the full op-ed by Chairperson Moure-Eraso on the Houston Chronicle's website.

http://www.csb.gov/about/publichearing.aspx to view information on the CSB's public hearing on July 23 and 24 in Houston, TX.