Regulatory flaws, repeated violations put oil refinery workers at risk

By Jim Morris, Chris Hamby and M.B. Pell

The nation’s refineries are plagued by equipment failures and sometimes-fatal accidents that in many cases could have been prevented.

Excerpts from this story referencing "Matt Gumbel":

"… ning last April at the Tesoro Corp.’s refinery in Anacortes, Washington, Matt Gumbel and six co-workers cautiously returned to service a stack of giant, radiat …"

"… Tesoro refinery in October 2008 — 18 months before the fire that killed Matt Gumbel and his co-workers — Silverstein’s agency reduced an already-modest $8 …"

"… nacortes, known as Unit E, was put into service in 1972, four years before Matt Gumbel was born. According to the Washington Department of Labor & Industries …"

"… for continuous improvement in safety performance.”Tesoro refinery worker Matt Gumbel. Credit: Photo courtesy of the Gumbel familyWhen the welds on Unit E poppe …"