The BP Explosion and Vioxx Disaster - Essay Example

 The mutual collaboration of workers and management is another important concept that could help avoid such disasters. Cordial relations and active cooperation between workers and management enhance communication at the workplace. The disconnect between workers and management primarily caused the BP tragedy and six workers were dismissed upon accusations from officials of negligence and failing to sound an evacuation alarm.Literature ReviewThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Vioxx, into the United States’ market in 1999.

The Vioxx disaster occurred between 1999 and 2004. More than one hundred million prescriptions were made in the United States of America alone and it caused an enormous deaths and injuries (Abraham & Davis, 2013). It was established that the drug (painkiller) caused a stroke and cardiovascular complications. Merck & Company, which was responsible for manufacturing the drug was accused of misleading patients and doctors about the drug’s safety; fabricating research results to suit the company’s interests, and thwarting an FDA’s agent from revealing the complexities associated with the drug – it skirted federal drug regulations (Hopkins, 2008).

Before its withdrawal from the market, in 2004, more than 25 million Americans who used the drug and it had caused over 38,000 deaths (Ellsberg & Gerstein, 2008).The Texas City BP explosion occurred in 2005. It had resulted in 15 deaths and 170 injuries. Most of the casualties were workers and it raised questions surrounding ethical concerns. What caused the tragedy was an explosion of hydrocarbon vapor at the isomerization process. BO report indicated that hydrocarbon vapors combusted after coming into contact with a source of ignition, most probably a vehicle engine.

Some of the mistakes related to the explosion were employee incompetency and negligence and six employees were later dismissed of duties following such accusations (Ellsberg & Gerstein, 2008). Annotated BibliographyAbraham, J., & Davis, C. (2013). Unhealthy pharmaceutical regulation: Innovation, politics, and promissory science. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.The record exposes the policies and governance that contribute to unhealthy pharmaceutical practices. It touches on innovation, promissory science, and politics that influence pharmaceutical regulation.

Ellsberg, M., & Gerstein, S. M. (2008). Flirting with Disaster: Why Accidents Are Rarely Accidental. New York, NY: Rodale.‘Flirting with Disaster: Why Accidents are rarely Accidental’ recounts the event and experiences of the BP Texas refinery explosion and Vioxx disaster. It highlights the causes of the disasters; how the government and the public responded to the situation. Hopkins, A. (2008). Failure to learn: The BP Texas City refinery disaster. Sydney, N.S.W: CCH Australia.

The book explores the chain of events that led to the BP Texas refinery disaster. It illustrates the causes and ethical dilemmas that triggered the onset of the tragedy, and how the management responded to effect restoration.Executive Handling of Financial CrisisBoth disasters contributed to immense financial crises. Merck & Company faced legal obligations and compensations of the victims, the families of the deceased inclusive (Abraham & Davis, 2013). The company was resolved and it had to withdraw the product from the market.

The company, therefore, focused on the production of other products to compensate for the loss. This remedial course was not sufficiently effective.Texas BP refinery faced a financial crisis as well. The company rationalized its management and six employees were dismissed of duties (Ellsberg & Gerstein, 2008). Compensations were made to the victims and the families of the deceased. The company also incurred costs that were directed toward the replacement and reconstruction of infrastructure.

The company also suffered legal action brought about adverse financial obligations (Hopkins, 2008). Other BP companies situated in various locations across the globe gathered funds in support of the Texas BP refinery, which to some extent, proved effective.