US rig owner Transocean accused of compromising safety in North Sea

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Source: The Guardian

Unions argue that abusive behaviour and racism are widespread and wants shake-up of system in light of worsening safety record

Transocean, the American rig owner at the centre of BP's Gulf of Mexico oil spill, has been accused of compromising safety in the North Sea by "bullying, harassment and intimidation" of its staff.

The allegations, in a damning report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) seen by the Guardian, will deeply embarrass Transocean, which on Tuesday appears before a House of Commons investigation into the lessons to be learnt from the Deepwater Horizon spill.

The offshore and transport union, RMT, argues that abusive behaviour and racism towards an increasingly multinational workforce in the North Sea are widespread, and it wants a huge shake-up of the system in the light of a worsening safety record.

The allegations came as Thad Allen, the US official leading the Deepwater Horizon cleanup, said an important milestone had been reached with the replacement of the blowout preventer that failed to stop the flow of oil in the original accident. He said the original device had been hauled to the surface for investigators to determine what went wrong.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/05/transocean-oil-rig-safety

[howaboutme]

1. Needed - politicians that will slap down the global corporations

Corporations that are unleashed and unregulated are the bane of our global society. They are beyond the reach of sovereign governments. They have but one master - profits. Until they are slapped down and their influence reigned-in society at large will pay a huge price.

We need to create a political atmosphere of concern where politicians that cater to the global corporate interests will be thrown out of office.