Recent Recommendation Status Updates

Each recommendation the CSB issues is monitored by CSB staff from the time it is issued to closing. CSB staff evaluate recipient responses, and the Board votes to assign status designations to recommendations based on staff evaluation. This page highlights recommendations for which the Board has recently voted to change the status of the recommendation. For more information on how the CSB defines its recommendation statuses, please visit the Recommendations Frequently Asked Questions page.

To contact CSB Recommendations Staff please email [email protected] 

 

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Recommendations

Marathon Martinez Renewable Fuels Fire (8 Recommendations)
American Petroleum Institute (API) (1 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: March 13, 2025

2024-01-I-CA-8

Revise API RP 556 Instrumentation, Control, and Protective Systems for Gas Fired Heaters, or successor API products, with the following:

  1. Requirements for proper response to high tube metal temperatures, including guidance to alert operators when safe operating limits are exceeded and to specify predetermined response actions, such as shutting down the fired heater remotely. The predetermined response actions must include actions that specify when to stop troubleshooting and remove personnel from the vicinity of the fired heater;
  1. Design requirements (“shall” rather than “should” language) for protecting fired heaters from low process flow where process piping diverges downstream of a flow meter. Requirements may include achieving proof of flow to the heater through valve position indicators and interlocks on branch 
  1. Engineering safeguard requirements (“shall” rather than “should” language) to detect and prevent afterburning in fired heaters. These requirements may include the use of instrumentation such as combustibles measurements, flame detectors, and/or thermocouples that measure tube metal, flue gas, and process fluid temperatures. The requirements shall address monitoring capability from the control room.

Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

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Marathon Martinez Renewables (4 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: March 13, 2025

2024-01-I-CA-1

Implement engineering safeguards to detect and prevent afterburning in the fired heater involved in the November 19, 2023, incident. The safeguards may include the use of instrumentation such as combustibles measurements, flame detectors, and/or thermocouples that measure tube metal, flue gas, and process fluid temperatures. The safeguards shall be capable of being monitored from the control room.


Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

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2024-01-I-CA-2

For the fired heater involved in the incident, after Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s “Process Heater Not-to-Exceed (NTE) Limits and Alarms” standard is updated according to 2024-01-I-CA-R5, implement tube metal temperature alarming consistent with corporate guidance to alert operators when safe operating limits are exceeded and to specify predetermined response actions, such as shutting down the fired heater remotely. The predetermined response actions must include actions that specify when to stop troubleshooting and remove personnel from the vicinity of the fired heater.


Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

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2024-01-I-CA-3

Implement changes to improve Walk the Line performance at the Martinez facility by ensuring that the facility’s practices are consistent with tools in the AFPM Safety Portal and guidance in Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s refining reference document titled Operations Excellence. At a minimum:

  1. Require that operator field walkdowns ensure that valves are correctly aligned before all unit startup activities from planned or unplanned shutdowns, such as those due to non-normal operations, emergencies, turnarounds, and major maintenance;
  1. Improve policies and practices for communications among and between shifts to ensure that operators understand abnormal line-ups in their units; and
  1. Reinforce Walk the Line concepts, including the expectation for only trained operators to control valve line-ups at their units, through training for all levels of management in the Operations department.

Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

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2024-01-I-CA-4

Complete a comprehensive gap assessment of the Martinez facility against Marathon Petroleum Corporation policies. At a minimum, address the following policies:

a. Operating Limits;

b. Process Hazard Analysis; and

c. PSM/RMP Refining Operating Procedures.

Develop and implement action items to effectively address findings from the assessment.


Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (3 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: March 13, 2025

2024-01-I-CA-5

Update the corporate “Process Heater Not-to-Exceed (NTE) Limits and Alarms” standard with tube metal temperature alarming guidance to alert operators when safe operating limits are exceeded and to specify predetermined response actions, such as shutting down the fired heater remotely. The predetermined response actions must include actions that specify when to stop troubleshooting and remove personnel from the vicinity of the fired heater.


Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2024-01-I-CA-6

Update the corporate “Heater Application Standard” with the following requirements:

  1. Requirements for protecting fired heaters from low process flow where process piping diverges downstream of a flow meter. Requirements may include achieving proof of flow to the heater through valve position indicators and interlocks on branch connections downstream of flow meters to prevent backflow, reverse flow, or other diverted flow scenarios that could defeat the safety instrumented system; and
  1. Engineering safeguard requirements to detect and prevent afterburning in fired heaters. The safeguards may include the use of instrumentation such as combustibles measurements, flame detectors, and/or thermocouples that measure tube metal, flue gas, and process fluid temperatures. The safeguards shall be capable of being monitored from the control room.

Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

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2024-01-I-CA-7

Confirm the results of the Martinez facility’s comprehensive gap assessment required in 2024-01-I-CA-R4. Upon completion, conduct an Operations Excellence full assessment on the Martinez facility. Develop and implement action items to effectively address findings from the assessment.


Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response (O - ARE/AR) - The recipient has not submitted a substantive response, or the evaluation by CSB staff of a response is pending, or the Board has not yet acted on staff recommendation of status.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

Didion Milling Company Explosion and Fire (10 Recommendations)
Didion Milling, Inc. (9 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: December 06, 2023

2017-07-I-WI-1

Contract a competent third party to develop a comprehensive combustible dust process safety management system, such as OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard or the requirements in the 2019 edition of NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust, Chapter 8, which includes, at a minimum, the following elements:

a. Management of Change for combustible dust;

b. Process Safety Information Management;

c. Management of Audits and Inspections;

d. Fugitive Dust Management;

e. Incident Investigation;

f. Dust Hazard Analyses;

g. Management of Engineering Controls for combustible dust

h. Personal Protective Equipment; and

i. Emergency Preparedness.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-2

Contract a competent third party to develop and implement modifications to the pneumatic conveying and dust collector ductwork systems in accordance with guidance such as NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust, and NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, to include, at a minimum:

a. Ensure minimum required transport velocity is maintained throughout the system.

b. Implement a periodic inspection and testing program for pneumatic conveying and dust collector ductwork systems, following industry guidance such as NFPA 91, Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Particulate Solids, and FM Global guidance. The program should include cleaning on a set frequency and measuring transport velocities on a routine basis to ensure proper system function.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-3

Contract a competent third party to perform dust hazard analyses (DHAs) on all buildings and units that process combustible dust. Ensure that the DHAs are revalidated at least every five years. Implement pre-deflagration detection, deflagration venting, deflagration suppression, deflagration isolation, and deflagration pressure containment engineering controls identified in the initial and revalidation DHA in accordance with NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, NFPA 68, Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting, NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems, and NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-4

Contract a competent third party to assess and implement engineering controls for the structural design and venting requirements of the reconstructed facility to ensure they meet the requirements and guidance in NFPA 68, Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting, for adequacy of venting capacity.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-5

Incorporate recording any paper-based process safety information into Didion’s existing electronic records management system so that the information can be reliably retained, retrieved, and analyzed in the event of a catastrophic incident.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-6

Contract a competent third party to perform personal protective equipment hazard analyses, such as those prescribed by NFPA 2113, Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire, and require appropriate flame-resistant garments for all operations that handle combustible dusts during normal and upset conditions.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-7

Contract a competent third party to update the facility emergency response plan and train all employees on updated emergency response plan. The update should include the guidance in NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, and NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust, Chapter 8 and Section A.8.10.1, which includes, at a minimum, the following elements:

a. A signal or alarm system;

b. Emergency shutdown procedures; 

c. Provide instructions for when and how to trigger emergency evacuations;

d. Provide instructions for when to notify emergency responders for need of assistance;

e. Response to potential fire scenarios, such as smoldering fires inside equipment; and

f. Prevent firefighting of process fires inside equipment.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-8

Contract a competent third party to assess and update the pre-deflagration detection and suppression engineering controls, such as those discussed in Chapter 9 of the 2019 edition of NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems, for adequacy to detect and alarm employees of an emergency situation, such as a smoldering fire, and trigger an evacuation.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2017-07-I-WI-9

Contract a competent third party to develop and implement a process safety leadership and culture program, based on the guidance of the CCPS’s Guidelines for Auditing Process Safety Management Systems and Process Safety: Leadership from the Boardroom to the Frontline. The program should include, at a minimum, the following elements:

a. A process safety policy;

b. A process safety leadership and culture committee;

c. Appropriate goals for process safety;

d. A commitment to process safety culture;

e. Leading and lagging process safety metrics;

f. Process Safety Culture Assessments; and,

g. Engagement with external process safety leadership and culture experts.


Status: Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received
Open - Unacceptable Response/No Response Received (O - UR) - Recipient responds by expressing disagreement with the need outlined in the recommendation. The Board believes, however, that there is enough supporting evidence to ask the recipient to reconsider.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (1 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: December 06, 2023

2017-07-I-WI-13

Update NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, or a successor standard, to incorporate, at a minimum, the following elements:

1. Unify the requirements for performing dust hazard analyses to remove equipment exemptions and require the assessment of all processes, such as cyclones, as required in:

a. The 2019 edition of NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust

b. Chapters 3, 5, and 6 of the CCPS’s Guidelines for Combustible Dust Hazard Analysis.

2. Incorporate the additional guidance for Management of Change to include but not limited to:

a. Harmonize the 2019 edition of NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust, requirements for section 8.12.2.4, modifications to operating and maintenance procedures, and section 8.12.2.4, employee training requirements.

b. Chapter 3 and Appendix B of the CCPS’s Guidelines for the Management of Change for Process Safety, such as addressing temporary changes, operating and maintenance procedures, employee training, and dust testing results, to standardize MOC requirements across all industries that handle combustible dust.

3. Update the requirements for incident investigation management systems, to include but not limited to:

a. Incorporate the optional guidance of the 2019 edition of NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust, as a mandatory requirement.

b. Chapters 4 and 10 of CCPS’s Guidelines for Investigating Process Safety Incidents (3rd Edition).  


Status: Closed - Exceeds Recommended Action
Closed - Exceeds Recommended Action (C - ERA) - Action on the recommendation meets and surpasses the objectives envisioned by the Board.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

Tesoro Anacortes Refinery Fatal Explosion and Fire (1 Recommendations)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: May 01, 2014

2010-08-I-WA-1

Revise the Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions under 40 CFR Part 68 to require the documented use
of inherently safer systems analysis and the hierarchy of controls to the greatest extent feasible when
facilities are establishing safeguards for identified process hazards. The goal shall be to reduce the risk of major accidents to the greatest extent practicable, to be interpreted as equivalent to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). Include requirements for inherently safer systems analysis to be automatically triggered for all management of change, incident investigation, and process hazard analysis reviews and recommendations, prior to the construction of a new process, process unit rebuilds, significant process repairs, and in the development of corrective actions.


Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternative Action
Closed - Acceptable Alternative Action (C - AAA)
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

Watson Grinding Fatal Explosion and Fire (1 Recommendations)
Compressed Gas Association (CGA) (1 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: June 29, 2023

2020-03-I-TX-1

Urge member companies that handle hazardous chemicals to share information with their customers about (1) the safety issues described in this report and (2) why their customers should develop and implement effective process safety management systems as part of their own internal safety programs, including informing member companies’ customers about CGA P-86, Guideline for Process Safety Management, the Center for Chemical Process Safety’s Guidelines for Risk Based Process Safety, or an equivalent approach.


Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Closed - Acceptable Action (C - AA) - The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary