Phillips Petroleum Co. has agreed to pay over $2.1 million in penalties for safety and health violations at its complex in Pasadena, Texas, as part of a settlement agreement announced Thursday by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Additionally, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., which now owns and operates the facility, will hire dedicated safety and health consultants to ensure compliance with OSHA's process safety management standards.

The agreement settles citations issued against Phillips' Houston Chemical Complex in Pasadena in September 2000, following an explosion six months earlier that killed one worker and injured 69 others.

Under the settlement agreement, Phillips Petroleum will pay a penalty of $2,169,500. Chevron Phillips has agreed to retain the services of both a process safety management training and operating procedures consultant. Each consultant will conduct comprehensive reviews of the training program and standard operating procedures at the K-Resin facility. The company has agreed to implement all feasible recommendations of the consultants by July 31, 2002.

The settlement "signals this administration's commitment to crack down on workplace safety violations," said Chao.