News Releases

CSB Launches Redesigned Agency Website and Releases New Video

May 26, 2009

Washington, DC, May 26, 2009 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today unveiled a redesigned website, www.csb.gov that includes imbedded flash videos, a photo gallery, and a new accident news feed.

In Preliminary Findings, CSB Investigators Report Bayer CropScience Explosion Was Caused by Runaway Chemical Reaction; Cite Significant Lapses in Process Safety, Outdated Operating Procedures

Apr 23, 2009

Institute, West Virginia, April 23, 2009 - A large explosion and fire that took the lives of two workers at the Bayer CropScience (Bayer) plant last August was caused by a thermal runaway reaction during the production of an insecticide. The event likely resulted from significant lapses in chemical process safety management at the plant, U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) investigators said today in preliminary findings released at a news conference here.

In Preliminary Findings, CSB Investigators Report Bayer CropScience Explosion Was Caused by Runaway Chemical Reaction; Cite Significant Lapses in Process Safety, Outdated Operating Procedures

Apr 23, 2009

Institute, West Virginia, April 23, 2009 - A large explosion and fire that took the lives of two workers at the Bayer CropScience (Bayer) plant last August was caused by a thermal runaway reaction during the production of an insecticide. The event likely resulted from significant lapses in chemical process safety management at the plant, U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) investigators said today in preliminary findings released at a news conference here.

In House Testimony, CSB Chairman John Bresland Cites Significant Lapses in Process Safety in August 2008 Bayer CropScience Explosion

Apr 21, 2009

Washington, DC, April 21, 2009 - The Bayer CropScience chemical facility explosion and fire that fatally injured two plant operators and potentially threatened plant neighbors likely resulted from a series of process safety management deficiencies that led to a runaway chemical reaction, U.S. Chemical Safety Board Chairman John Bresland told a House committee investigating the matter today.

CSB Announces Panel Participants for April 23 Public Meeting on 2008 Bayer CropScience Accident in Institute, West Virginia

Apr 17, 2009

Washington, DC, April 17, 2009 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced today the panel of outside witnesses who will be speaking at the April 23, 2009, public meeting in Institute, West Virginia. At the meeting the Board will be releasing preliminary findings into its investigation of the August 28, 2008, chemical processing tank explosion at Bayer CropScience which fatally injured two workers.

CSB Chairman John Bresland Encourages Florida Governor to Support Workplace Safety Rules for State's Public Employees

Mar 26, 2009

Washington, D.C. March 26, 2009 - In a letter released today by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), Chairman John Bresland urged Florida Governor Charlie Crist to support worker-safety legislation to protect state, county, and municipal employees in Florida.

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.

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