Tesoro continues to demonstrate their “deficient safety culture” (U.S. Chemical Safety Board). First, there were seven people killed in Anacortes (2010) and the recent U.S. Chemical Board finding in January 2014 was complacency. Now in Petaluma, Calif., workers’ faces are sprayed with sulfuric acid. Workers are quoted as being “afraid” of the leaky equipment in the plant and inspectors were not allowed in by Tesoro.
As a retired process manager and safety leader at a local heavy chemical industry site, I know unsafe, scary work conditions are unnecessary and intolerable. Many cooperative outlets are available. They all involve an atmosphere of accident prevention by the owner. Without positive safety prevention attitudes demonstrated by Tesoro, it is foolhardy to permit them to operate an oil terminal in Vancouver.
Peter Aller
Vancouver
