News Releases

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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CSB Releases Trailer Blast Damage Information from BP Texas City Accident

Jun 30, 2006

Washington, DC, June 30, 2006 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced it is releasing detailed trailer blast damage information developed during the ongoing investigation of the March 23, 2005, explosions at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas. The information was posted to the agency's website, CSB.gov, and also provided to the American Petroleum Institute (API), the trade organization that is working to develop new guidance on the safe placement of trailers and similar temporary structures used in the oil and chemical industry.

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CSB Deploys Investigators to Explosion and Fire at Universal Form Clamp Co. in Bellwood, Illinois

Jun 15, 2006

Washington, D.C. June 15 ,2006 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) deployed an investigation team to Illinois today to conduct an assessment of the chemical explosion and fire at Universal Form Clamp Co., located in Bellwood, a suburb of Chicago.

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