Monthly Archives: May 2010

On May 29th, I liveblogged Doug Suttles’ press conference. You all know him by now, he’s BP’s chief operating officer and gets in front of the cameras a lot. Here’s what he said during that presser, along with my response.:

“People have gotten sick, we gotta change that. If we have to give ‘em respirators, we’ll give ‘em respirators… this is rare.”

Good lord. Rare? Really? And why haven’t you given them respirators before now?

I’d really like an answer to that question, because people are getting very sick… people who have been denied respirators:

A fisherman who was hospitalized after becoming ill while cleaning up oil in the Gulf of Mexico has filed a temporary restraining order in federal court against oil company BP.

John Wunstell Jr., is asking BP to give the workers masks and not harass workers who publicly voice their health concerns.

It becomes more than a little alarming when we see repeated instances of people in dire straits having to wait until something tragic happens before someone takes action. How many have to get sick, or even die, before precautions are taken? Eight? Nine?

In an affidavit, Wunstell wrote he started experiencing severe headaches and nasal irritation on May 24. Over the next few days, he also developed nosebleeds, an upset stomach, and aches.

On Friday, Wunstell was airlifted to West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, Louisiana, where he remained hospitalized Sunday.

Eight other workers were brought to the hospital this week and were all released.

Wunstell’s affidavit, describing what went on at the hospital. BP went a tad overboard:

“At West Jefferson, there were tents set up outside the hospital, where I was stripped of my clothing, washed with water and several showers, before I was allowed into the hospital,” Wunstell said. “When I asked for my clothing, I was told that BP had confiscated all of my clothing and it would not be returned.”

The restraining order requests that BP refrain from “altering, testing or destroying clothing or any other evidence or potential evidence” when workers become ill.

Jim Klick, Wunstell’s lawyer:

“The BP oil spill wiped out their professions and their jobs this year and possibly years down the road [...] The only work they can get right now is with BP.”

So of course, they’re afraid to complain, or they’ll be out of work.

The restraining order requests that BP stop using dispersants without providing “appropriate personal protective equipment” to workers. [...] BP has not supplied workers with masks when they work near the oil and dispersants.

Now isn’t that just what Suttles said the other day? He’d supply protective gear… if he had to. And how would he know he had to? Why, if the workers end up in the hospital.

There must be a super double secret clause that he insisted be included in the contracts: When employees have chronic, life-threatening ailments, offer preventive measures after the fact.

Way to avoid legal action, C.O.O.-C.O.O. Suttles.

Clint Guidry, president of the Louisiana Shrimpers Association:

“Some of our men asked, and they were told they’d be fired if they wore masks…”

But leave it to BP. According tho them, it’s not goo poisoning, it’s food poisoning! Tony Hayward, the chief executive officer of BP:

“Food poisoning is clearly a big issue…“

However, An expert on foodborne illness, Dr. Michael Osterholm, a professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, put that little rationalization to rest:

“Headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds — there’s nothing there that suggests foodborne illness [...] I don’t know what these people have, but it sounds more like a respiratory illness.”

Hayward? Meet Subpoena. Subpoena? Hayward. Enjoy your play date.