The Baker Panel Report - ABSA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSMembers of the BP U.S. Refineries Independent Safety Review Panel give special thanksand appreciation for the outstanding support provided by its legal counsel, Baker BottsL.L.P. The Baker Botts team made extensive contributions to the Panel’s efforts whileremaining mindful of its position and role of supporting the Panel. Special thanks go topartners Joseph A. Cialone, II, Mark L. Farley, Pamela M. Giblin, Joe S. Poff, and David D.Sterling and to John B. Williams, policy assistant to James A. Baker, III. Coordination of thePanel’s schedule and other administrative services were superbly performed by Baker Bottspersonnel including Charlotte Cheadle, Adele Dubicki, and Catherine Duke.The Panel would also like to thank its other advisors and consultants who contributed to thePanel’s work. In particular, Jack L. McCavit of J.L. McCavit Consulting, LLC and J. S. (Steve)Arendt and Walter F. Frank of ABSG Consulting Inc. led the technical reviews of the processsafety management systems at BP’s five U.S. refineries. Jack McCavit served as coordinatorfor the technical reviews, and Steve Arendt served as project manager for the ABS team.International Survey Research LLC acted as consultants to the Panel in connection with thePanel’s culture survey conducted to understand the process safety-related beliefs, attitudes,and concerns of employees and contractors at BP’s five U.S. refineries. The Panel wishes tothank Gary J. Berger, Ph.D., Executive Director, and Joseph R. Dettman, Senior ProjectManager, of International Survey Research.The Panel also wishes to thank Carolyn W. Merritt, Chairman of the U.S. Chemical Safetyand Hazard Investigation Board, and Leo W. Gerard, International President of the UnitedSteel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and ServiceWorkers International Union for their contribution to a video prepared by the Panel andshown at BP’s five U.S. refineries in connection with the Panel’s process safety culturesurvey. The Panel also wishes to thank Chairman Merritt and other representatives of theChemical Safety Board for meeting with the Panel at its initial meeting in November 2005.Finally, Panel members thank the many individuals interviewed by Panel members andstaff. The Panel received candid and frank responses from hundreds of BP employees,contractors, union leaders, public officials, and residents located near the company’s fiveU.S. refineries, and from other individuals associated with the refining and petrochemicalindustry. The thoughts and advice of those who observe and understand BP and the refiningindustry played an indispensable role in helping the Panel develop this report. The valuableinsight of these individuals can help BP become a safer company.