News Releases

CSB to Hold Public Meeting in Institute, West Virginia on April 23; Investigators will Present Preliminary Findings and Board will Hear Public Comments on the Fatal Explosion at Bayer CropScience

Mar 13, 2009

Washington, DC, March 13, 2009- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today announced that it will be holding a public meeting on April 23, 2009, in Institute, West Virginia, to present preliminary findings from its investigation of the August 28, 2008, chemical processing tank explosion at Bayer CropScience which fatally injured two workers.

Chairman Bresland's New YouTube Safety Message Urges More Government Action, Increased Industry Vigilance to Prevent Catastrophic Dust Explosions

Feb 04, 2009

Washington, DC, February 4, 2009 - Marking the first anniversary of the Imperial Sugar explosion that killed 14 workers in February 2008, CSB Chairman John Bresland released a new video safety message today asking federal regulators and businesses to increase efforts to prevent combustible dust fires and explosions.

Statement By Supervisory Investigator Donald Holmstrom Updated the Media on the CSB's Investigation into the January 12, 2009, Fire and Explosion at the Silver Eagle Refinery in Woods Cross, Utah

Jan 30, 2009

Since arriving in Utah the investigation team has conducted over 40 interviews, gathered process samples, collected hundreds of pages of refinery records and extensively examined the accident scene. To date, our investigation has found that on the evening of January 12, 2009 at approximately 5:20 pm a large vapor cloud was released from an atmospheric storage tank, known as tank 105, which contained an estimated 440,000 gallons of light naphtha.

CSB Investigative Team En Route to Utah Refinery Explosion

Jan 13, 2009

Washington DC, January 13, 2009 - A four-member team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of an explosion and fire at the Silver Eagle Refinery in Woods Cross, Utah.

In a New Video Safety Message, CSB Chairman Bresland Emphasizes Effective Winterization Programs to Prevent Process Accidents

Jan 07, 2009

In a new video safety message released today on YouTube, CSB Chairman John Bresland urged companies to ensure they have effective winterization programs to prevent major chemical and refinery process accidents that could result in deaths or substantial property damage.

In First Video Safety Message, CSB Chairman John Bresland Calls for Industry to Remain Focused on Process Safety, Accident Prevention During Recession

Dec 22, 2008

In his first video safety message, CSB Chairman John Bresland today said that chemical companies and refineries need to continue to invest in process safety and preventive maintenance, even as the economic downturn cuts into sales and profits.

CSB to Conduct Full Investigation of Causes of Catastrophic Fertilizer Tank Collapse at Allied Terminals in Chesapeake, Virginia; Issues Urgent Safety Recommendations Citing Hazard to Public from Welding Defects on Several Remaining Tanks

Dec 08, 2008

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today issued urgent safety recommendations following last month’s collapse of a two-million-gallon liquid fertilizer storage tank at the Allied Terminals distribution facility in Chesapeake, VA, urging the company to take immediate steps to safeguard three other nearby fertilizer storage tanks from possible failure.

CSB Investigators to Examine Scene of Fatal Ohio Oilfield Explosion

Oct 20, 2008

A two-person investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is en route to the site of yesterday's fatal explosion at a rural Ohio oilfield, approximately 60 miles northwest of Columbus. The team is expected to arrive at the site in La Rue, Ohio, on Tuesday.

New CSB Safety Video, "Half an Hour to Tragedy," Highlights Training Needs for Propane Emergencies

Oct 09, 2008

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a new 23-minute safety video, "Half an Hour to Tragedy," based on the deadly propane gas explosion at the Little General convenience store in Ghent, West Virginia, in January 2007.

CSB Investigation of the 2007 Little General Store Propane Explosion Emphasizes Need for Immediate Evacuation, Recommends Enhanced Training of Emergency Responders and Propane Technicians, Guidance for 911 Operators

Sep 25, 2008

Beckley, West Virginia, September 25, 2008 - In a draft final report released today, investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) conclude that inadequate propane technician and emergency responder training and unsafe propane tank placement were the primary causes of a fatal accident in January 2007 at the Little General convenience store in Ghent, West Virginia

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