BP Needed an Andon Cord

According to BP, everyone on the Deepwater Horizon rig had “stop-order authority”, meaning that even the most lowly worker could suspend operations indefinitely. But the great tragedy had no shortage of warning signs. Rick Wartzman therefore asks why no one on the rig stepped up to issue a stop-work order. In a heavily-specialized environment, workers know their job better than anyone else. This gives them the authority to issue a stop order. According to Mr. Warzman, it appears as though some tried to sound the alarm, but there was too much control at the top.

Check out Mr. Warzman’s article here.

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