Are a lack of inspections the cause of the West, Texas explosion?
The Associated Press reports that the West, Texas fertilizer that exploded was last inspected by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) in 1985.
In 2006, the West, Texas fertilization plan was cited for improperly storing anhydrous ammonia and failed to get a permit. The smell of the substance was allegedly potent the night of the explosion. Anhydrous ammonia is extremely hazardous.
After the West, Texas explosion, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a statement that shed light on how budget cuts are affecting the efficiency of workplace inspections by OSHA.
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Think Progress reports, “After surveying 22 state-run programs, it found that the agencies had problems with hiring and retaining inspectors…. a workplace only gets a visit from OSHA inspectors every 99 years on average. In Texas, a plan can only expect an inspection every 126 years.”
Wow. OSHA needs to get it together, because we can’t take another explosion.
SOURCE: Think Progress
