News Releases

Hazard of Chemical Reaction "Not Recognized" At Former BP Amoco; CSB Recommends Safety Improvements

May 23, 2002

(Washington, DC - May 23, 2002) - The molten plastic that was involved in last year's fatal accident at the former BP Amoco plant in Augusta, Ga., was known by company researchers to undergo a gas-producing reaction at high temperatures, but the resulting dangers to workers were not adequately recognized or controlled in the plant design or operating procedures, federal accident investigators said today.

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Chemical Safety Board Launches New Investigation

May 01, 2002

On Wednesday, May 1, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board initiated a new investigation into a chemical plant fire at Third Coast Packaging Company in Friendswood, Texas, near Houston. Friendswood is a rural area about 20 miles southeast of Houston. Third Coast Packaging manufactures automotive and industrial lubricants and packaging. According to initial reports, the fire stated about 1 AM, Wednesday, in a storage warehouse. Two warehouses have apparently been destroyed and at least 15 storage tanks were fully engulfed in flames.

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CSB Investigators Probing New York City Building Explosion

Apr 26, 2002

April 26, 2002 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today deployed an investigative team to the site of a building explosion that injured dozens yesterday in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. The team will investigate early indications that the explosion may have been the result of a hazardous chemical reaction at the Kaltech Industries Group, a sign manufacturing company. The investigators will initially determine whether hazardous materials were stored in the mixed-use building and how the safety of those materials was managed. CSB Board Member Dr. Gerald Poje is en route to the accident site.

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CSB Releases Case Study of Concept Sciences Explosion

Feb 01, 2002

(Washington, DC - February 1, 2002) The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board today issued a case study of a destructive explosion that occurred at the plant of Concept Sciences Inc., near Allentown, PA, on February 19, 1999. As a result of the explosion four Concept Sciences employees and the manager of an adjacent business were killed. Two Concept Sciences employees were injured, as were four people in nearby buildings. The explosion damaged ten buildings and several residences in the immediate area.

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U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Launches Probe of Fatal Alabama Mill Incident

Jan 23, 2002

(Montgomery, Alabama --- January 23, 2002) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) Tuesday continued their examination of last week's fatal incident at Georgia Pacific Corp.'s Naheola Mill. Meanwhile, a CSB Board member who met Tuesday with plant management at the mill says he is appreciative of the companys pledge of cooperation with the CSB investigation.

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Final Board Report on Fatal Bethlehem Steel Fire Finds Inadequate Supervision of Hazardous Maintenance Work

Jan 16, 2002

MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA, JANUARY 16, 2002 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board today released the results of its investigation into the fatal incident that occurred on February 2, 2001, at the Bethlehem Steel Burns Harbor Mill in Chesterton, Indiana. The Board identified several causes of the incident, including inadequate management systems for the supervision, planning and execution of maintenance work.

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CSB Safety Bulletin Says "Managing Change" Is Essential to Safe Chemical Process Operations

Aug 28, 2001

(Washington, DC - August 28, 2001): In industry, as elsewhere, change often brings progress. But it can also increase risks that, if not properly managed, create conditions that may lead to injuries, property damage or even death.

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News Release July 25, 2001 - Board Intensifies Investigation of Motiva Acid Tank Failure, Fire; Four Additional Investigation Team Members Deployed

Jul 25, 2001

(Washington, DC - July 25, 2001): The U.S. Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has dispatched six investigation team members to the site of the catastrophic failure of a storage tank containing spent sulfuric acid at Motiva Enterprise's Delaware City (Del.) refinery. Eight people were injured in the release and accompanying fire. One contract employee is still missing.

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Federal Investigation of Tosco Refinery Fire Finds Flawed Management Supervision

Mar 28, 2001

(Washington, DC - March 28, 2001) A fire at Tosco's Avon refinery in Martinez, California, could have been prevented by better management supervision of safety, according to the final report of the U.S. Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). The report culminates an exhaustive two-year investigation of the 1999 petroleum fire that claimed the lives of four workers. The Avon refinery was acquired by UDS Corporation last year.

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CSB to Investigate Fatal BP Amoco Explosion

Mar 21, 2001

(Washington, DC - March 21, 2001): The U.S. Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has dispatched a second investigative team to the site of a fatal explosion at a Georgia plastics manufacturing facility. The team will carry on work begun shortly after the incident by a CSB preliminary assessment team. The blast early on the morning of March 13 left three dead at the BP Amoco Polymers plant in Augusta. The explosion initiated a secondary chemical fire that took five hours to bring under control.

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