PHILLIPS, OSHA AGREE TO SETTLE CITATIONS

Phillips 66 Co. has reached an agreement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to settle citations stemming from a major accident at the company's Houston Chemical Complex in October 1989. In entering the settlement, Phillips agreed to conduct process safety reviews in the complex at Pasadena, Tex., and in the company's plants at Sweeny and Borger, Tex., and Woods Cross, Utah. A key component of the commitment is a hazard analysis for each plant process involving

Sept. 2, 1991

2 min read

In entering the settlement, Phillips agreed to conduct process safety reviews in the complex at Pasadena, Tex., and in the company's plants at Sweeny and Borger, Tex., and Woods Cross, Utah. A key component of the commitment is a hazard analysis for each plant process involving hazardous chemicals.

Phillips agreed to pay $4 million as part of the settlement. The agreement also provides that OSHA no longer characterizes any alleged violation of safety rules as willful.

Phillips said the accident occurred when well established and understood plant procedures were not followed,

In agreeing to the settlement, Phillips admitted no liability in connection with the accident. The company maintains that no OSHA or other safety rules were violated.

Phillips said it agreed to a settlement to avoid a potentially long, costly lawsuit.

Following the accident, OSHA proposed fines totaling about $5.7 million against Phillips for alleged safety violations in the Pasadena plant. Phillips contested the OSHA citations and proposed fines.

Twenty-three workers died in the accident at Pasadena. A large hydrocarbon release ignited and set off a series of explosions and fires in polyethene production units.