http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/12/28/en_eco_esp_oil-workers-reject-p_28A4905811.shtmlOil workers are very concerned about the marked deterioration in industrial safety at state-run oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (Pdvsa), which has resulted in a significant increase in labor-related incidents and accidents. In this sense, leaders of the Federation of Venezuelan Oil Workers (Futpv) voiced their observations and warnings.
Eudis Girot, a leader of the Futpv and Vanguardia Obrera Socialista warned against the status of several oil facilities in eastern Venezuela.
"The security situation in the Jose refining complex is one of the most dire that has occurred. We have been saying that Jose is a time bomb that is about to burst into pieces," said Girot.
The leader added that in 2006 they reported the operational situation to the outgoing National Assembly. Subsequently, a number of oil industry officials were questioned at the National Assembly, "but unfortunately no corrective measures have been taken."
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Girot reported that at the Coromoto Hospital in Maracaibo, western Zulia state, the number of burned patients climbed from zero in 2002 to 2,575 people burned while working in the oil industry in 2007.