News Releases

CSB Receives Award for Safety Video on West Virginia Propane Explosion that Killed Four; Production Called “Extremely Effective”

Aug 14, 2009

Washington, DC, August 14, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) received a key communication award from a major online learning and teaching organization for a CSB Safety Video on the West Virginia propane explosion that killed four people when a convenience store blew up in January 2007.

CSB Investigative Team to Examine Hydrogen Fluoride Release from ExxonMobil Refinery in Illinois

Aug 07, 2009

Washington DC, August 7, 2009 – A four-member investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the site of a release of propane and hydrogen fluoride at the ExxonMobil refinery in Joliet, Illinois. At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, there was a sudden release of propane and hydrogen fluoride (HF) from the vicinity of a pump in the refinery’s alkylation unit, which uses HF as a catalyst. The leak did not ignite, but one operator was transported to the hospital suffering from what were described as serious, HF-related chemical burns; he was initially reported in critical condition. A second operator was examined at the hospital and released. The unit’s water deluge system, which is designed to contain airborne HF releases, was activated and the alkylation unit was shut down. Refinery personnel were instructed to shelter in place.

CSB Releases New Safety Video, “Combustible Dust: An Insidious Hazard” Features Three New Animations of Major Dust Accidents, Shows Need for Comprehensive Standard and Improved Safety Practices

Jul 28, 2009

Washington, DC, July 28, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a new safety video depicting how accumulations of combustible dust at worksites can provide the fuel for devastating explosions that kill and maim workers, shut down plants, and harm local economies.

CSB Deploys to Fire at CITGO Refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas

Jul 20, 2009

A four-member investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is en route to the site of a fire that began Sunday morning in the hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation unit at the CITGO refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas. One worker was airlifted to a burn center in San Antonio as a result of the accident at the 163,000 barrel per day refinery. The alkylation unit was reported to be shut down.

CSB Deploys to Fire at CITGO Refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas

Jul 20, 2009

Washington DC, July 20, 2009 – A four-member investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is en route to the site of a fire that began Sunday morning in the hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation unit at the CITGO refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas.

CSB Investigative Team to Examine Fatal Ammonia Release near Columbia, South Carolina

Jul 15, 2009

Washington, DC, July 15, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is deploying an investigation team to the site of an anhydrous ammonia release that occurred earlier today at Tanner Industries, located south of Swansea, South Carolina, the agency announced.

Statement of CSB Chairman John Bresland and CSB Investigation Supervisor Don Holmstrom on ConAgra Explosion

Jun 18, 2009

CSB Releases Safety Video on Need for Chemical Emergency Preparedness, Based on Findings from a Decade of CSB Accident Investigations

Jun 10, 2009

Washington, DC, - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a new safety video showing the need for emergency response agencies, companies, and communities to work closely together to prepare for the k

CSB Deploys Investigation Team to Site of Explosion at ConAgra Foods Plant in Garner, North Carolina

Jun 09, 2009

Washington, DC, June 9, 2009— The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today sent an investigation team to the site of an explosion, fire and roof collapse at the ConAgra Foods plant in Garner, North Carolina.

CSB Issues Final Report on Allied Terminals Catastrophic Fertilizer Tank Collapse; Board Calls for Regulation of Similar Tanks Located on the Elizabeth River

May 27, 2009

Chesapeake, Virginia, May 27, 2009 – In a final report issued today into the November 2008 fertilizer tank collapse at Allied Terminals in Chesapeake, VA, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recommended that the Commonwealth of Virginia regulate or authorize local jurisdictions to regulate the design, construction, maintenance and inspection of large fertilizer storage tanks located on the Elizabeth River.

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