OSHA Cites Oklahoma Refinery

Sinclair Oil Co.’s Tulsa, Okla., refinery may face more than $240,000 in potential fines for allegedly not responding to mandated safety improvements.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Sinclair for “willful and serious” violations following a February inspection.

The willful citation alleges the refinery didn’t move to provide early warning devices for flammable and toxic releases and had equipment capable of being an ignition source. OSHA said in a news release that those issues were identified in an analysis conducted in 1995.

The serious citation totaled 38 violations, including hazards in safety management, emergency response, chemical storage and other dangers.

Sinclair spokesman John Goodwin says his company has completed its latest inspection through an OSHA program and will meet with federal inspectors next week.

Information from: Tulsa World, www.tulsaworld.com