Abstract
Introduction:
oil refineries are dangerous industries. One of the most common causes of accidents as reported by workers is lack of personnel. Yet, investigations are generally limited to their immediate causes and the blame is often put onto workers even when accidents are caused by unsafe operational procedures or inadequate work organization.
Objective:
to raise questions about the relationship between understaffing and safety in refineries.
Methods:
the discussion was based on official reports over the oil refinery accident of BP Texas City in 2005 in the USA, as well as on documents from labor unions, investigative media and academic literature.
Discussion:
the documentary analysis categorically demonstrated that understaffing contributes to accidents and weakens safety, producing effects even long after staff cutting. Although operators and their representatives continuously and objectively report this situation, their arguments are often not considered as seriously as the analysis of the accidents direct causes. Given the workers’ high degree of awareness about the risks they are exposed and their responsibility in facing them, they must be listened to.
Keywords:
oil and gas industry; industrial safety; personnel downsizing; occupational accidents; occupational health