News Releases

CSB Pursues Investigation of North Carolina Hazardous Waste Fire; Says Likely Origin in Facility's Oxidizer Section

Oct 30, 2006

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today announced it is pursuing an investigation of the fire that burned from October 5 to 7 at the EQ North Carolina hazardous waste transfer and processing facility and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents from the Raleigh suburb of Apex.

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CSB to Hold November 9, 2006, Public Meeting on Combustible Dust Hazard Study Findings and Proposed Recommendations in Washington, DC

Oct 20, 2006

Washington, DC, October 20, 2006 - The CSB today announced it is convening a public meeting related to its investigation of combustible dust hazards at industrial facilities. The Board will be considering the findings and proposed recommendations of the draft report. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. on November 9, 2006, in the Diplomat/Consulate room of the Embassy Suites Downtown Washington, 1250 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC.

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CSB Issues Safety Bulletin on BP Texas City Major Fire: Better Material Identification Needed, Errors During Systems Maintenance Cited; Fire Caused $30 Million in Property Damage

Oct 15, 2006

Houston, Texas, October 15, 2006- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued a safety bulletin and new safety recommendations today based on the investigation of the July 28, 2005, hydrogen fire in the resid hydrotreater unit (RHU) at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas.

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CSB Team in Apex, NC, Wraps up First Phase of Investigation into EQ North Carolina Hazardous Waste Fire; Interviews Completed, Documents Requested

Oct 12, 2006

An investigation team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has wrapped up the first phase of its investigation into the fire and explosions which occurred at an EQ North Carolina facility in Apex, NC, the night of October 5, 2006.

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CSB Considers Final Report on Combustible Dust Hazards at Public Meeting Today

Oct 09, 2006

Washington, DC, November 9, 2006 – At a public meeting here today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) will consider its final report from a two-year investigation of the hazards of combustible dust in industry and is likely to recommend new safety measures for avoiding combustible dust explosions and fires.

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CSB Deploys Investigators to Site of Chemical Fire and Public Evacuation from North Carolina Hazardous Waste Facility

Oct 06, 2006

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying an investigation team to begin an assessment of the chemical fire, explosions, and large-scale public evacuation in Apex, North Carolina, site of a hazardous waste facility operated by the Environmental Quality Company.

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Board Commends the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction, Says New Combustible Dust Inspection Program "Exceeds Recommended Action" from Investigation of Fatal 2003 Explosion

Aug 16, 2006

Washington, DC, August 16, 2006 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today formally commended the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction (HBC) for exceeding the recommended action from the Board's investigation of the fatal 2003 dust explosion at CTA Acoustics in Corbin, Kentucky.

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CSB Releases Safety Video with Computer Animation on Formosa Plastics Point Comfort, Texas, Fire and Explosions of October 6, 2005

Jul 20, 2006

Washington, DC, July 20, 2006 - The U. S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today issued a Safety Video on the October 6, 2005, fire and explosions at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, USA, plant in Point Comfort, Texas. The video includes a computer animation depicting events leading to the accident, and features commentary by Lead Investigator Robert Hall, Investigations Manager Stephen Selk, and Board Member John Bresland.

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CSB Issues Case Study of Formosa Plastics Point Comfort, Texas, Fire and Explosions: Unprotected Piping, Non-Fireproofed Structures, Lack of Automatic Shutoff Valves Noted as Causes; Flame-Resistant Clothing Recommended

Jul 20, 2006

Washington, DC, July 20, 2006 - The U. S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued its final report and recommendations today in the October 6, 2005, fire and explosions at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, USA, plant in Point Comfort, Texas. In addition, the CSB released a Safety Video which includes a computer animation depicting events leading to the accident.

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German Translation of CSB Animation of the Explosion at BP Refinery, Texas City, Texas, Now Available

Jul 17, 2006

Washington, DC, July 17, 2006 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today posted on the agency's website a German translation of the narrated video of the accident at BP's Texas City refinery which occurred March 2005. This video, as well as the eight English language CSB Safety Videos, may be viewed online at the Video Room on CSB.gov.

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