News Releases

Letter to Chairmen Henry A. Waxman and Bart Stupak

Jun 21, 2010

As requested, I have attached the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s (CSB) scoring of the BP/Deepwater Horizon/Transocean incident that occurred on April 20, 2010.

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Statement from CSB Chairman John Bresland Regarding House Committee Request to Investigate BP Deepwater Horizon

Jun 08, 2010

I have received the letter from Chairmen Waxman and Stupak of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, requesting that the CSB investigate the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout.

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CSB Releases New Hot Work Safety Video Emphasizing Effective Hazard Evaluations and Gas Monitoring Procedures around Storage Tanks

Jun 07, 2010

Washington, DC, June 7, 2010 – The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a 14-minute safety video warning of the hazards of welding and other hot work activities in and around storage tanks containing flammable materials.

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CSB Announces June 28 Public Hearing in Connecticut on Kleen Energy Explosion

Jun 03, 2010

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Pipe Cleaning Practices that Led to Kleen Energy Explosion Are Common Across Gas Energy Industry, Survey Data Show

May 19, 2010

Washington, DC, May 19, 2010 – The practice of using flammable natural gas to clean power plant piping, which led to the fatal explosion at Connecticut-based Kleen Energy on February 7, has been commonly used across the gas-fired power generating industry, CSB investigators said today.

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CSB Receives Prestigious European Process Safety Award for Safety Videos

May 12, 2010

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has received the prestigious European Process Safety Centre (EPSC) Award 2010 for the CSB Safety Video series, Centre officials announced today. The award is given to acknowledge “progress toward a less-hazardous Europe” and is made to an individual or team which “has considerably advanced the theory or practice of process safety.”

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Board Member William Wark Statement on Recent Oil Site Fatalities

Apr 28, 2010

The CSB is deeply concerned about the recent surge of accidents at oil and gas production sites across the country. We take seriously any chemical accident that fatally injures members of the public. It is the CSB’s view that companies should take proper precautions to ensure that oil and gas production sites are secured properly, with fencing, gates and warning signs to prevent access by teenagers and young adults who are attracted to the sites as secluded places at which to socialize.

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CSB Requests Public Comment on National Academy of Sciences Study on Use of Toxic Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), Inherently Safer Technology Alternatives

Apr 26, 2010

Washington, DC, April 26, 2010 — In a Federal Register notice published April 23, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced it is seeking public comment on the design of a Congressionally mandated study on the use of methyl isocyanate (MIC) in the manufacturing of certain pesticides, and the feasibility of implementing safer alternatives to protect workers and the public from a potential release.​

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CSB Investigators Determine that Oklahoma Oil Site Where an Explosion Killed a Member of the Public April 14 was Unsecured, Unfenced, and Likely Lacked Explosion Warning Signs

Apr 23, 2010

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 23, 2009 — A fiery explosion that took the life of a 21-year-old member of the public in Weeletka, Oklahoma, on April 14 occurred at an unattended oil and gas production site that was unsecured and likely lacked fire or explosion warning signs, CSB investigators have determined following a four-day field assessment. Investigators arrived in Weleetka on Sunday evening and have been examining the site, conducting witness interviews, and gathering other information throughout the week

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CSB Examining Fatal Oil Site Explosion in Weleetka, Oklahoma; Probe Follows Recent Release of Safety Video and Board Call for Greater Protections at Oil and Gas Sites

Apr 21, 2010

Washington, DC, April 21, 2009— The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced today it has sent investigators to a fatal explosion which occurred April 14, 2010, at an oil site in Weleetka, Oklahoma. The CSB team is headed by Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom who leads the CSB’s regional office Denver, Colorado. A 21-year-old member of the public died of burns sustained in the explosion and fire.

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