The Herrera Law Firm Comments on Report about Increasing Safety Concerns at Texas Oil Refineries
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) April 30, 2015 -- Commenting on a Business Insider report detailing the loosening of safety practices at oil refineries across Texas, San Antonio oil rig accident attorney Jorge Herrera today said rolling back voluntary measures at refineries may lead to safety violations and increase accident risk at refineries across the state.
Herrera, attorney at The Herrera Law Firm, based his comments on an April 6 article, “Exclusive: Safety concerns rise at big Texas refinery a decade after disaster.” The report details concerns raised by workers and union representatives over the alleged rolling back of safety practices implemented after a deadly 2005 explosion.
“Safety regulations exist at oil refineries throughout Texas for a reason: to prevent accidents such as the March 23, 2005, explosion that claimed 15 lives,” Herrera said. “On the heels of news that some Texas oil companies are looking to roll back safety practices implemented after the tragedy, maintaining and improving workplace safety for some of our state’s most vulnerable workers is an issue that cannot be overlooked.”
According to Business Insider, voluntary safety procedures were implemented by oil refineries after the fatal explosion in 2005. However, the article indicates that new ownership has led to a loosening of safety procedures at the Galveston Bay refinery, including allowing diesel-fueled vehicles and trailers to access limited areas.
Business Insider indicates that the 2005 blast was ruled to have occurred after an accidentally released cloud of unstable hydrocarbon vapor was ignited by an idling engine of a parked diesel truck. Furthermore, the report revealed some workers to have claimed the company periodically wrote variances to its own safety policies.
“No oil rig worker in Texas should work in fear of being injured or killed in an accident. That’s why safety regulations exist in the first place,” said Herrera. “Lapses in safety can not only be addressed after a fatal accident has occurred. Workplace safety must be a full-time priority. We urge those who have been injured and suspect any wrongdoing to speak to an attorney about their legal rights immediately.”
About The Herrera Law Firm
Founded in 1983, The Herrera Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of individuals and families who have been dealt catastrophic blows due to personal injuries from nursing home abuse and neglect, oil field accidents, car accidents, tractor-trailer truck accidents, construction accidents, workplace injuries, dangerous drugs and defective medical device injuries. The law firm’s mission is to rectify the wrongs committed against its clients so that they can regain their dignity, rebuild their lives, and reclaim financial stability. The Herrera Law Firm is located at 111 Soledad Street, #1900, San Antonio, TX 78205.
If you or a loved one was injured, or you lost a loved one in an accident and need legal help, call (210) 224-1054 or visit http://www.herreralaw.com.
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
Share this article