Two brothers killed in refinery explosion when ‘vapor cloud’ ignites. BP fined, feds say

A major oil producer has been fined for the deaths of two workers at a refinery in Ohio, according to federal officials.

A “flammable vapor cloud formed” as the workers “attempted to correct rising liquid levels in the fuel gas mix drum,” the U.S. Department of Labor said in a March 16 news release. That vapor cloud ignited and the resulting explosion left the workers with fatal burns.

The workers were brothers, Max and Ben Morrissey, WTVG reported after the Sept. 20 explosion. Both men had families and young children.

“They were extremely tight. Everywhere Max would go, Ben would go. If there were any kind of scuffle, they would always have each other’s backs, and they were definitely two boys you didn’t want to mess with,” family friend Zac Schabel told the outlet.

They worked for BP Products North America Inc. at a refinery in Oregon, Ohio, just outside Toledo.

Following an investigation by federal officials, BP has been fined $156,250 for the deaths of the workers, the Department of Labor release said.

BP, one of the largest oil production companies in the world, reported nearly $11 billion in profit for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Investigators determined that BP didn’t provide proper training or follow correct procedures. Both were contributing causes to the deadly explosion and subsequent fire at the refinery, officials said.

“Federal safety standards require BP Products North America Inc. to develop companywide process safety and response procedures that address worst-case scenarios,” said OSHA Area Director Todd Jensen in Toledo, Ohio. “This tragedy is a reminder of why employers must consistently reevaluate those procedures for accuracy and ensure workers are properly trained to respond in dangerous situations.”

This story was originally published March 16, 2023 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Two brothers killed in refinery explosion when ‘vapor cloud’ ignites. BP fined, feds say."