OSHA has fined BP Products North America, Inc. more than $2.4 million, saying it found a number of violations at the company's Oregon, Ohio refinery that were similar to those the agency found during an investigation of the fatal explosion at BP's Texas City, Texas, refinery that claimed the lives of 15 workers and injured more than 170 others.

OSHA's Toledo area office initiated an inspection at the Ohio refinery in response to an alert issued by OSHA under the Enhanced Enforcement Program. The agency issued 32 per-instance willful citations, with penalties of more than $2.2 million.

OSHA cited BP for locating people in vulnerable buildings among the processing units; failing to correct de-pressurization deficiencies; failing to correct deficiencies with gas monitors; and failing to prevent the use of non-approved electrical equipment in locations in which hazardous concentrations of flammable gases or vapors may exist.

The agency fined BP an additional $140,000 for two willful violations. OSHA said the company neglected to develop shutdown procedures and designate responsibilities, and failed to establish a system to promptly address and resolve recommendations made after an incident when a large feed pump failed. Three years later those recommendations had still not been implemented.

OSHA issued another $35,000 in penalties for five alleged serious violations,

BP Products North America, Inc. has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

In September, BP agreed to pay more than $21 million in penalties for safety and health violations OSHA said it found during an investigation of the fatal explosion at its Texas City, Texas, plant.