Fire marshal: 5 facilities similar to West fertilizer plant refuse inspection

[TexasTowelie]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Five facilities in Texas with large quantities of the same fertilizer chemical that fueled the deadly plant explosion in West have turned away state fire marshal inspectors since the blast, investigators said Monday.

A railway operator that hauls hazardous materials across Texas also allegedly rebuffed state efforts to share data since the April explosion at West Fertilizer Co., which killed 15 people and injured 200 others.

Regulators and state lawmakers at a hearing about the still-unsolved explosion were intrigued by the lack of cooperation. State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy said "well, sure" when asked whether those facilities refusing to admit inspectors raised concern.

"In their defense, they may have a very good reason," Connealy said.

More at http://www.reporternews.com/news/2013/aug/26/fire-marshal-5-facilities-similar-west-fertilizer/ .

[font color=green]My second thread today about weak regulatory authority in Texas. Will I find a third?[/font]

[QSkier]

1. What could possibly be a "good reason" to refuse?

"In their defense, they may have a very good reason," Connealy said.


That makes no sense!

[hobbit709]

7. They don't want to get nailed even under TX lax laws.

[Arctic Dave]

2. In Alaska, the FM office is part of the State Troopers DPS.

If you are a public company you can't deny them access.

[Gothmog]

3. The only good reason not to cooperate is that they were not in compliance with safety rules

The fact that the Fire Marshall would condone non-compliance is simply amazing

[mbperrin]

4. In case you're wondering if inspectors in Texas are bought,

well, YEAH!

I think those who refuse inspection should simply be closed and auctioned off on the courthouse steps at a no-minimum auction.

[thelordofhell]

5. 5 Facilities Similar To West Fertilizer Plant Forgot Kickbacks To Fire Marshal

There fixed the headline for you

[TexasTowelie]

6. Thanks!