Report: Avoidable Oil Spill Results from Poor Management

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Black Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Harry C. Alford commented on the latest report from the President's oil spill commission calling last April's oil spill "an entirely preventable disaster":

"The gross mismanagement at all levels leading to the largest oil spill in U.S. history further implicates BP as a rogue operator in the U.S. offshore. The complete neglect by management for employee safety concerns revealed in the latest oil spill commission report would not be tolerated at any business, and is especially appalling aboard an offshore drilling rig," said Alford.

The report cited the following management failures: (1) ineffective leadership at critical times; (2) ineffective communication and soiling of information; (3) failure to provide timely procedures; (4) poor training and supervision of employees; (5) ineffective management and oversight of contractors; (6) inadequate use of technology; and (7) failure to appropriately analyze and appreciate risk. 

"This report makes it exceedingly clear that the oil spill was the result of one bad actor, and not the fault of existing technologies or the entire industry," Alford said. "It's all the more frustrating to see the economic destruction faced by Gulf small businesses supported by offshore operations from the continuing industry wide moratorium, when it is clear the moratorium should only cover one company, BP. It is time to put these people back to work."

To visit the campaign website, click here. Protect American Energy Workers is a project of the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

SOURCE National Black Chamber of Commerce