At the same time the Minerals Management Service of the Interior Department failed to inspect equipment, withhold approvals or implement its own recommendations of 2001 and 2003--which might turn out to be a saving grace for BP when it confronts legal liabilities in the future.

FORBES: Let's Give BP Some Credit

The company did not properly ground and inspect electrical equipment, the report found, while Maseth's commanders failed to ensure renovations to the building where he was quartered had been properly done and the Army did not set electrical standards for jobs or contractors.

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