Workers Independent News brings us a report on safety efforts at a Citgo refinery plant in Texas. Click here to listen.

The United Steelworkers union is trying to make sure that when a Citgo refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas, restarts this month, it’s a safe startup. The refinery was shut down after an explosion that critically injured a worker.

John Warner, President of USW Local 13-1647, says Citgo wanted to rush the startup before workers were comfortable with the safety precautions.

"I want to make sure that my people are confident enough to walk in that unit, push the button and come up and feel safe. I want them to have that confidence,” Warner said.

Warner says hydrogen fluoride or HFS is used at this refinery – a dangerous chemical the USW would like to see phased out in favor of better, safer solid catalyst technology.