News Releases

CSB Commends Center for Chemical Process Safety Response to Reactive Hazards Study Recommendations, Says CCPS "Exceeds Recommended Action"

Jun 30, 2004

Orlando, Florida, June 30, 2004 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has formally commended the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), an arm of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), for exceeding the CSB's recommended action contained in the CSB report on reactive hazards in 2002.

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In Preliminary Findings, CSB Investigators Say DPC Enterprises Chlorine Leak on November 17, 2003, Resulted from Improper Safety Practices, Failure to Follow Written Procedures

Jun 09, 2004

In Preliminary Findings, CSB Investigators Say DPC Enterprises Chlorine Leak on November 17, 2003, Resulted from Improper Safety Practices, Failure to Follow Written Procedures For more information, go to: DPC Enterprises Investigation Information Page At CSB Community Meeting, Board Members to Hear Testimony from Phoenix/Glendale Emergency Response Agencies, Company, and Residents Glendale, Arizona, June 9, 2004 - In preliminary findings set to be delivered in a community meeting here tonight, investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) say that last November's chlorine release at the DPC Enterprises Glendale facility resulted from the failure to shut off a chlorine transfer line when safety alarms sounded. The alarms indicated the near-depletion of an essential chemical in a safety device called a scrubber, but the CSB found it was common practice to allow chlorine to flow even after the alarms sounded, in violation of the company's own written procedures.

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CSB To Hold June 9 Community Meeting in Glendale, Arizona, to Present Preliminary Findings in DPC Chlorine Leak Investigation and Hear from Responders and Residents

May 25, 2004

Washington, DC, May 25, 2004 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board will be holding a community meeting in Glendale, Arizona, at 6 p.m. on June 9, 2004, concerning the chlorine release accident that occurred at the DPC Enterprises repackaging facility on November 17, 2003. Fourteen people, including ten police officers, required treatment for chlorine exposure near the facility at 4909 W. Pasadena in Glendale.

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CSB Continues Investigation of Formosa Plastics Explosion, Examines Functioning of Plant Fire Safety System for Vinyl Chloride

Apr 30, 2004

Washington, DC, April 30, 2004 - Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) are continuing their field work on the April 23 accident at the Formosa Plastics plant in Illiopolis, Illinois, east of Springfield, and plan to enter the area where the explosion originated as soon as structural safety issues are resolved next week.

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CSB Chairman Merritt Declares Full Root-Cause Investigation of Fatal Accident at Formosa Plastics PVC Plant in Illinois

Apr 25, 2004

Illiopolis, Illinois, April 25, 2004 - Calling Friday night's accident at the Formosa Plastics plant here "among the most serious that the Board has investigated in more than six years," U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) Chairman Carolyn W. Merritt announced the Board would conduct a full investigation to determine the root causes of the tragedy and develop safety recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future. Depending on its course, that investigation may take up to a year or more to complete.

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CSB Investigation Team En Route to Site of Serious Explosions at Formosa Plastics PVC Plant in Illinois

Apr 24, 2004

Washington, DC, April 24, 2004 - Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board are headed to the scene of Friday night's explosions at the Formosa Plastics polyvinyl chloride manufacturing facility in Illiopolis, Illinois, near Springfield, which reportedly killed at least two workers, left others missing, and destroyed most of the plant. The explosions and fire caused a large public evacuation, cut power to local communities, and closed an interstate highway, according to media reports.

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CSB to Pursue Full Investigation of April 8 Explosions and Fire at Giant Industries Refinery near Gallup, NM

Apr 19, 2004

Washington, DC, April 19, 2004 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has decided to pursue a full root-cause investigation of the recent explosions and fire at the Giant Industries Ciniza gasoline refinery east of Gallup, New Mexico, board member Rixio Medina announced today in Albuquerque. CSB accident investigations typically take 9 to 12 months to complete.

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Board to Conduct Root-Cause Investigation of Chemical Release from MFG Chemical Inc. in Dalton, Georgia

Apr 16, 2004

Washington, DC, April 16, 2004 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today announced it will conduct a root-cause investigation of the April 12 chemical accident at the MFG Chemical Inc. facility in Dalton, Georgia, which triggered a release of toxic allyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid into the surrounding community.

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CSB Investigation Team En Route to Northern Georgia Chemical Release Site

Apr 13, 2004

Washington, DC, April 13, 2004 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced today it is deploying an investigative team to the site of Monday night's release of toxic allyl alcohol from the MFG Chemical Co. in Dalton, GA, north of Atlanta, which reportedly resulted in the evacuation of residents within a half-mile radius of the plant.

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CSB Investigation Team on Site at Giant Industries Refinery in Gallup, NM, Site of April 8 Fire

Apr 10, 2004

Washington, DC, April 10, 2004 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has commenced a preliminary investigation at the site of the April 8 fire at the Giant Industries refinery near Gallup, New Mexico, west of Albuquerque.

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