PAnews.com, Port Arthur, Texas

Opinion

Discussion

July 31, 2010

Letter: Support needed for bill to protect workers

Robert B. Hollis The Port Arthur News

ORANGE —  The oil industry toll for April-May 2010 has been 13 fires, 19 deaths and 25 injuries. This is a good indicator that the oil industry is lax on health and safety, whether it is refineries or offshore platforms.

The oil industry seems to accept loss of life as a cost of doing business. When companies weigh decisions against profit margins, safety decisions will be made the same way. Safety is always sacrificed in the push for production.

Working men and women should not be subjected to conditions that have become more hazardous due to management’s decisions that place profit over safety.

I am a refinery worker at the Valero Port Arthur Refinery and a member of the United Steelworkers Union, Local No. 13-423. When equipment fails at a facility and is not repaired, management uses a phrase they call “Risk Management.” This tells employees the company is willing to risk their lives and those in the surrounding community to maintain production and profit.

Voluntary safety standards created by the oil industry do not work. Now is the time to strengthen the Occupational Safety and Health Acts (OSHA) enforcement capabilities. On way is by supporting passage of the Protecting America’s Worker’s Act. (House Bill 2067, Senate Bill 1580.)

Oil companies will not change their inadequate attitudes toward safety until the penalty for injury or killing workers becomes greater.

Robert B. Hollis

Orange

 

Text Only
Opinion
Subscribe today
Community Photos
CMS.jpg

Courtesy Photo
The Central Middle School Band capped off a successful year by competing in the Solo and Ensemble Contest on May 5th. Forty-eight students brought home 66 medals.  Band members who won honors are: Danny Abdullah, Syrina Akbari, Abigail Albright, Max Barclay, Joel Bardwell, Jordan Bardwell, Brandon Baumgardner, Anthony Bennett, James Brindza, Cullen Cessna, Vanessa Daigle, Collin Elliott ,Dyan Emerson, Cyle Hubbard, Colin Jackson, Jennifer Jones, Jordan Jones, Jase Keel, Jessica Koons, Marissa Licatino, Todd Luke, Kade McCorvy, Jordan Mitchell, Kelby Myers, Mason Ouzts, Sara Pierce, Kayla Prestridge, Daniela Rodriguez, Noah Ross, Shae Sanders, Chandler Smith, Brian Speight, Erin Stilley, Arriana Torres and Tommy Truong Central's Band Directors are Joe Vargas and Michelle Melancon. On May 15th, the Band will hold its final performances of the year. They will play in Central's auditorium at 9 AM. Later that evening, they will be part of the Nederland ISD Band Pageant at the Performing Arts Center.  

Video
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report 15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108 Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
Facebook
Sports Tweets
  • Sports tweets

    Anonymous The Port Arthur News Tue, May 31
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com