Valero Benicia Refinery Faces Safety Probe After Worker Complaints

State inspectors investigate reports of chemical exposure during flaring incident at facility slated for closure.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:45pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of industrial safety equipment and protective gear, including a hardhat, goggles, and a respirator mask, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing the importance of worker safety in the industrial sector.As Valero refinery prepares to shut down, an investigation into worker safety concerns during the decommissioning process raises alarms about industrial hazards.Benicia Today

State safety inspectors have visited the Valero refinery in Benicia, California to investigate complaints from workers who say they were doused with dangerous chemicals during a flaring incident last week. Several workers reported being sent to the hospital with burns after black liquid rained down on them for about five minutes as they were decommissioning the facility, which is scheduled to shut down at the end of the month.

Why it matters

The investigation into worker safety concerns at the Valero refinery comes as the facility prepares to permanently close, raising questions about the company's commitment to protecting employees during the shutdown process. Workplace safety incidents at refineries can have serious public health implications, especially in communities located near industrial sites.

The details

According to reports, thick black smoke could be seen shooting out of the Valero refinery from miles away during the flaring incident last Thursday. Workers said the incident sent about two dozen employees to the hospital with burns from the caustic cleaning chemicals they were using to decommission the facility. State safety inspectors visited the refinery on Thursday to investigate the workers' complaints.

  • The flaring incident occurred last Thursday.
  • State inspectors visited the refinery on Thursday to investigate the complaints.

The players

Valero

The company that operates the Benicia refinery, which is scheduled to shut down at the end of the month.

Cal-OSHA

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which is responsible for investigating workplace safety complaints.

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What’s next

Cal-OSHA is expected to release the findings of its investigation into the worker safety complaints at the Valero refinery in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining robust workplace safety protocols, especially at industrial facilities undergoing decommissioning or closure processes. The investigation will likely scrutinize Valero's handling of the flaring event and its impact on worker health and safety.