Reporter Lauren Hasler of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (WisconsinWatch.org) has a story this morning about Murphy Oil’s continued use of hydrofluoric acid, a dangerous chemical kinow to cause explosions and resulting injury, despite the availablity of alternative substances.
Hasler reports that
Federal safety inspectors at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2008 cited Murphy Oil for 35 violations – including 33 classified as “serious” and one as “willful,” which came with the largest proposed fine of $63,000, according to a Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism review of OSHA records. When the company agreed to pay a $179,100 penalty, the willful violation was relabeled as “unclassified.”
At least 10 of the violations dealt with the alkylation unit, where hydrofluoric acid is used as a catalyst to refine high-octane gasoline.
The full and well-documented report is available on the WisconsinWatch.org website.
Via Despite alternatives, Superior refinery using dangerous chemical.