News Releases

CSB Case Study Cites Deficient Management Systems, Inadequate Safeguards in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, Explosion and Fire

Oct 29, 2003

Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that an explosion and fire at Catalyst Systems Inc. in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, last January most likely occurred when 200 pounds of benzoyl peroxide in a vacuum dryer rapidly decomposed. The runaway chemical reaction produced large volumes of gas under high pressure.

Investigators Present Final Report On First Chemical Corp. Explosion - Cite Inadequate Safety Systems, Lack of Warning Devices

Oct 15, 2003

Pascagoula, Mississippi, October 15, 2003 - Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that the October 2002 plant explosion here occurred because First Chemical Corporation had not effectively evaluated the hazards of a chemical process that ran out of control. The blast blew the top off a distillation tower that was approximately 145 feet tall and propelled tons of fiery debris in the air, raining down onto adjacent industrial facilities and narrowly missing nearby hazardous chemical tanks.

Investigators Present Final Report On First Chemical Corp. Explosion - Cite Inadequate Safety Systems, Lack of Warning Devices

Oct 15, 2003

(Pascagoula, Mississippi, October 15, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that the October 2002 plant explosion here occurred because First Chemical Corporation had not effectively evaluated the hazards of a chemical process that ran out of control. The blast blew the top off a distillation tower that was approximately 145 feet tall and propelled tons of fiery debris in the air, raining down onto adjacent industrial facilities and narrowly missing nearby hazardous chemical tanks.

CSB Issues Final Report On Chelsea Building Explosion, Calls On New York City To Strengthen Fire Code

Sep 30, 2003

(New York City - September 30, 2003) The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today recommended that New York City modernize its 85-year-old municipal fire code, concluding that a stronger code and better inspections might have prevented last year's building explosion in Chelsea. That blast on April 25, 2002, injured 36 people, including 14 members of the public and six firefighters.

CSB Investigating Three Recent Chemical Incidents at Honeywell Baton Rouge Plant

Sep 29, 2003

(Washington, DC - September 29, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are now examining three separate incidents that occurred in July and August at the Honeywell Specialty Materials Plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. These incidents impacted employees, the neighboring community, and the environment.

Board Investigators Returning to Site of Recent Gas Explosion near Dayton, Ohio

Sep 29, 2003

(Washington, DC - September 29, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are returning today to the site of last week's violent explosion at the Isotec chemical manufacturing plant in Miamisburg, Ohio, southwest of Dayton. The explosion ruptured a carbon monoxide pipe and ignited the gas, prompting a precautionary evacuation that affected about 2000 residents within a mile of the plant. CSB lead investigator John Vorderbrueggen and Board member John Bresland were en route back to the site and were expected to meet with concerned citizens today. The effectiveness of the emergency response and the evacuation order are important issues in the case, investigators say.

Board Votes 5-0 to Approve Reports in BLSR, Environmental Enterprises Cases

Sep 17, 2003

(Washington, DC, September 17, 2003) The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) unanimously approved two investigation reports in a public meeting today Washington, concluding that last January's deadly fire at an oilfield waste disposal facility south of Houston could have been avoided if the companies involved had safer procedures for handling flammable wastes.

CSB Investigators Cite Lack of Effective Management Systems in Hydrogen Sulfide Incident at Cincinnati Waste Disposal Plant

Sep 17, 2003

(Washington, DC, September 17, 2003) A release of potentially deadly hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the Environmental Enterprises Inc. (EEI) waste treatment facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, resulted from treating chemical wastes in an inappropriate vessel, according to investigators from U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) speaking today a Board public meeting.

Board Votes 5-0 to Approve Reports in BLSR, Environmental Enterprises Cases

Sep 17, 2003

(Washington, DC, September 17, 2003) The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) unanimously approved two investigation reports in a public meeting today Washington, concluding that last January's deadly fire at an oilfield waste disposal facility south of Houston could have been avoided if the companies involved had safer procedures for handling flammable wastes.

CSB Investigators Find Lack of Hazard Recognition, Unsafe Handling of Flammable Liquids Caused BLSR Fire

Sep 17, 2003

(Washington, DC, September 17, 2003) Last January's deadly fire at an oilfield waste disposal facility south of Houston could have been avoided if the companies involved had safer procedures for handling flammable wastes, investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) reported today in a public meeting.

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