Total Port Arthur Refinery confirms coronavirus case

Published 6:02 pm Tuesday, April 7, 2020

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An employee at the Total Port Arthur Refinery has tested positive for coronavirus.

Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA confirmed the case Tuesday.

The affected employee is in self-quarantine and has not been onsite at the refinery since March 26.

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“Total has implemented our pandemic response in the case of a positive COVID-19 test, which includes disinfecting and sanitation of the potentially-affected areas, and [is] asking employees who may have been in contact with the affected employee to self-quarantine,” Total said in a statement.

Among the mitigation measures the Port Arthur Refinery has implemented:

  • All personnel are subject to no-contact temperature screening at the refinery gates;
  • A COVID-19 audit team is instituted to educate and reinforce social distancing and hygiene;
  • Face shields and half-faced respirators for personnel are provided when needed;
  • More handwashing stations have been added and additional janitorial services have been mobilized;
  • All personnel not essential to safe operations and who can work effectively from home are doing so;
  • Employees who must work at the refinery are doing so under staggered shifts and and are practicing social distancing;
  • Maintenance workers and contractors are working split shifts; and
  • All large face-to-face meetings are canceled.

“The health and safety of our employees, vendors, contractors and communities is a core value and our top priority,” Total said.

“We are continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation and updating the response plan as the situation evolves as well as communicating with all employees in order to keep the everyone informed.”

Motiva on March 30 confirmed one of its employees was infected with COVID-19.