The state of California has proposed a new set of refinery safety rules developed in response to the 2012 fire at Chevron’s Richmond site. Via Bloomberg, the rules would make employers more accountable for mechanical integrity of equipment, require owners to adopt safer designs and systems, increase employee involvement in safety and prevention and mandate periodic assessments. They would also give refinery personnel the power to shut down a unit if needed.
California officials said refinery incidents cost state residents an average of $800 million per year in fuel supply disruptions.
The incident at Chevron’s refinery in 2012 resulted in 15,000 people in the nearby community seeking medical treatment and approximately 20 being admitted to local hospitals, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. The fire was ignited after a pipe ruptured and released flammable light gas oil.
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