The long-awaited Baker report yesterday called on oil group BP - Britain's biggest company - to overhaul safety procedures at all five of its US refineries after finding dangerous conditions at the plants.
The panel, headed by former US Secretary of State James Baker, was convened by BP after an explosion at its Texas City refinery killed 15 workers and injured 170 on March 23, 2005, in the worst US industrial accident in a decade.
BP has set aside $1.6bn (about £800m) in compensation for the families of the workers who were killed.
The report said all five of BP's American oil refineries have significant safety problems due to company complacency.
"Instances of a lack of operating disciplines, toleration of serious deviations from safe operating practices, and apparent complacency toward serious process safety risks existed at each of the US refineries," the panel said.
It also said BP should "clearly define expectations and strengthen accountability for process safety performance at all levels and in executive management and in the refining managerial and supervisory reporting line." BP should engage an independent monitor to report annually to its board of directors on the implementation of the panel's recommendations, the Baker investigation concluded.
The safety problems are not unique to BP, the report added.
"If other refining and chemical companies consider our recommendations and apply them, we believe that those workplaces will be safer and that future tragedies like the Texas City accident can be avoided," it said.
The US Chemical Safety Board, which recommended in August 2005 that an independent review committee be established by BP, said in October 2005 that the Texas City refinery had a history of dangerous start-up procedures and flammable vapour releases.
The findings are a blow to Lord John Browne, the outgoing chief executive of BP, who prided himself on the company's safety record during his years in charge.
Browne was in Houston, the Texas oil centre, when the report was made public.
BP responded quickly to the review, saying it would implement its recommendations.
"We asked for a candid assessment from this diverse group of experts and they have delivered one," said Browne.
BP plans to meet the Baker committee within a week, according to a statement on the company's website.
BP had first sight of the report last Wednesday, two days before Browne shocked the City with news that he is to step down from the post of chief executive in July, almost 18 months early.
Tony Hayward, named last week as successor to Browne, faces the task of restoring the company's credibility after the explosion, a pipeline oil spill in Alaska, and other mishaps.
It is thought the sudden appointment of Hayward, who is currently head of exploration and production, was an attempt to limit the damage caused by yesterday's findings.
The report is expected to spark calls in the City for a fresh cull in the BP boardroom, with John Manzoni, head of refining and marketing, under particular pressure.
BP shares shed 8p, or 1.4%, to 541p at the close of yesterday's dealing.
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