LyondellBasell's report of "controlled burn" at refinery fire contradicted by its own documents

After the May 17, 2010 fire at the LyondellBasell refinery in Houston, the company's refinery spokesman said the fier was part of a "controlled burn." 

Say what?  A "controlled burn"?

In the four months since this refinery fire, LyondellBasell has never retracted or modified this statement that the fire was a "controlled burn."

Which is confusing, because LyondellBasell just produced documents to us (VB attorneys) in our lawsuit against the company on behalf of nine contract workers that do not say anything about any "controlled burn."

So, what do the company's own documents say?  Here is a sampling:

- "Strainer Operation Procedure ... was not followed"
- Prior "Field deviation [from proper procedures] was not addressed"
- "Level of risk associated with strainer operation was not recognized by operations personnel"
- "Line Break Policy was not followed"
- "Plugging material was present in the 536 LVGO stream"

Based on these company documents, the fire had nothing at all to do with any "controlled burn."  

Based on these materials which reflect a disregard for safety, everyone who works at this refinery or lives anywhere near it should have a great concern for their personal safety.

These documents are available upon request -- please coordinate with Brenda Gallegos in our office at 713 224 7800.