News Releases

CSB Investigative Team Deploying to Caribbean Petroleum Corporation Tank Explosion in Puerto Rico

Oct 23, 2009

Washington, DC, October 23, 2009 – A six-person team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the site of a major explosion and fire at a petroleum storage facility near San Juan, Puerto Rico, that occurred early Friday. Reports indicate that a number of large petroleum storage tanks are on fire at the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation facility in Bayamon.

CSB Releases New Safety Video, “Inferno: Dust Explosion at Imperial Sugar”

Oct 07, 2009

Washington, DC, October 6, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a new nine-minute safety video on the combustible dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia, which claimed the lives of 14 workers, injured 36, and caused extensive property damage on February 7, 2008.

CSB Issues Final Report on Oleum Release from INDSPEC Chemical Corp. that Forced Thousands to Evacuate in October 2008; Report Cites Use of Pump Power Supply that Lacked Safeguards

Oct 05, 2009

Washington, DC, October 5, 2009 – The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a final report today on the uncontrolled oleum release from INDSPEC Chemical Corporation in Petrolia, Pennsylvania, which forced the evacuation of three surrounding towns in October 2008. In the report the CSB encouraged companies that handle hazardous chemicals to follow proper management-of-change procedures, monitor deviations from written operating procedures, and implement appropriate safeguards to mitigate human errors.

CSB Releases Safety Bulletin on the Dangers of Purging Gas Piping into Buildings, Urges Outdoor Venting of Gases

Oct 02, 2009

Washington, DC, October 2, 2009 – In a new safety bulletin based on preliminary findings from the ConAgra Foods natural gas explosion in Garner, North Carolina, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) urged companies, gas installers, and contractors to follow safe practices during gas purging operations, including venting purged gases outdoors whenever practicable.

Final CSB Report on Imperial Sugar Disaster Concludes Inadequate Equipment Design, Maintenance, and Housekeeping Led to Massive Sugar Dust Explosions

Sep 24, 2009

In a final draft report released today, CSB investigators said the February 7, 2008, explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia, resulted from ongoing releases of sugar from inadequately designed and maintained dust collection equipment, conveyors, and sugar handling equipment. Inadequate housekeeping practices allowed highly combustible sugar dust and granulated sugar to build up throughout the refinery’s packing buildings, CSB investigators concluded.

CSB Releases New Safety Video, “Runaway: Explosion at T2 Laboratories” Depicting Reactive Chemical Accident that Killed Four and Injured 32

Sep 22, 2009

Washington, DC, September 22, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a new nine-minute computer animated safety video depicting a tragic reactive chemical accident that devastated T2 Laboratories in Jacksonville, Florida.

CSB Finds T2 Laboratories Explosion Caused by Failure of Cooling System Resulting in Runaway Chemical Reaction; Report Notes Company Did Not Recognize Hazards of Chemical Process

Sep 15, 2009

Jacksonville, Florida, September 15, 2009 – The massive December 2007 explosion and fire at T2 Laboratories in Jacksonville was caused by a runaway chemical reaction that likely resulted from an inadequate reactor cooling system, investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) said in a final draft report released today. The Board is to vote on the report findings and recommendations at a public meeting in Jacksonville this evening. Concluding that T2 did not recognize all of the potential hazards of the process for making a gasoline additive, the report calls for improving the education of chemical engineering students on reactive chemical hazards. The explosion and fire on December 19, 2007, killed four T2 employees and injured four others. In addition, 28 people working at nearby businesses were injured when building walls and windows blew in. The blast sent debris up to a mile away and damaged buildings within a quarter-mile of the facility.

CSB to Hold Public Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, September 24; Board will Consider Final Investigation Report on Fatal Dust Explosion at Imperial Sugar Refinery

Sep 14, 2009

Washington, DC, September 15, 2009 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced that it will convene a public meeting on Thursday September 24, 2009, in Savannah, Georgia, to review the final CSB investigation report on the causes of the February 2008 dust explosions and fire at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Savannah Desoto, located at 15 East Liberty Street. The meeting is free and open to the public. Members of the public, those affected by the accident, and emergency responders are encouraged to attend and to provide comments prior to the Board’s consideration of the final report. The meeting is expected to conclude at approximately 9:00 p.m.

CSB to Hold Public Meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, September 15; Board to Consider Final Investigation Report on Fatal Reactive Chemical Accident at T2 Laboratories

Aug 31, 2009

Washington, DC, August 31, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced today that it will convene a public meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, in Jacksonville, Florida, at which CSB investigators will present their final report on the causes of the fatal December 2007 explosion at T2 Laboratories Inc., a local chemical manufacturer.

Statement from CSB Chairman John Bresland on Bayer CropScience Announcement Concerning Methyl Isocyanate

Aug 26, 2009

Washington, DC, August 26, 2009 - The CSB is continuing to investigate the serious explosion that occurred one year ago at the Bayer CropScience (Bayer) pesticide manufacturing site in Institute, West Virginia. We have completed the collection of most of the evidence on the causes of the explosion itself. Consistent with a May 2009 request from Congress, our investigation is currently examining options for Bayer to reduce or eliminate the use and storage of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) at the Institute site.

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