Over a year ago, in the wake of the 2010 BP oil disaster, a federal agency was given authority to audit offshore oil and gas operators. Those operators were also required to put new safety systems into place to help ensure that another catastrophic disaster would not wreak the same havoc on the environment and on people’s lives.
However, safety records from the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement show that the agency hasn’t conducted any of those audits. With 120 operators in the Gulf of Mexico, that translates to 120 missed opportunities to check up on offshore oil and gas safety and potentially prevent a disaster.
Apparently BSEE has only directed two operators to conduct their own audits, which it also has the power to do. Those two companies were directed to audit their own safety systems because of poor performance.
Offshore operators were shut down for months following the Deepwater Horizon disaster and reopened under the assumption that steps would be taken to improve offshore drilling safety – for the sake of workers, residents of neighboring areas and the environment. But if operators expect that they won’t be audited by the government, they have less reason to take audits and regulations seriously/
If you or someone you love have been seriously injured in the course of their maritime employment or as a result of a disaster caused by someone else’s negligence, it may be wise to speak with a personal injury attorney experienced in Jones Act and environmental claims. They can help you navigate relevant state and federal law while focusing on your case, allowing you to focus on getting back to your life.
Source: WWLTV, “Government agency has yet to conduct audit of safety systems for offshore oil operators,” David Hammer, Dec. 6, 2012
