The federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents has accused two BP partners of ‘hands-on manipulation’ of evidence in the Gulf oil spill.

The US Chemical Safety Board has asked for a halt to testing of the blowout preventer involved in the Deepwater Horizon explosion, saying that employees of Cameron International and Transocean have been permitted ‘hands-on manipulation’ of the device.

MSNBC.com reports:

In a letter to the federal agency overseeing the investigation, Safety Board chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso wrote that workers for Cameron International, which made the blowout preventer, and rig owner Transocean were allowed ‘hands-on manipulation’ during federal tests to determine why the massive device failed.

‘That approach diminishes the credibility of the entire process and jeopardizes the public’s trust in the examination results,’ he added. ‘Given the well-publicized history of improper relationships between the former Minerals Management Service and members of the oil industry, one would have expected that extraordinary care would be taken to conduct the BOP testing above reproach.’

The board noted that the companies at times had closer access to the equipment than the safety board itself.

According to the Associated Press, the chemical board says it has […]