The CSB issues safety recommendations to prevent the recurrence or reduce the likelihood or consequences of similar incidents or hazards in the future. Recommendations are issued to a variety of parties, including government entities, safety organizations, trade unions, trade associations, corporations, emergency response organizations, educational institutions, and public interest groups. Recommendations are published in CSB reports and are closed only by vote of the Board. The CSB tracks all recommendations and communicates regularly with recommendations recipients to ensure that the recommended corrective actions are implemented. For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions about CSB recommendations.
2011-06-I-HI-9
Revise the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C regulations to require a permitting process with rigorous safety reviews to replace the use of emergency permits under 40 CFR §270.61 for the disposal of explosive hazardous materials, including fireworks. At a minimum, the new process should require the use of best available technology, safe disposal methodologies, as well as safety management practices, such as those required by OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard (PSM), 29 CFR §1910.119 (e.g., hazard analysis and control, management of change). Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action/No Response Received
Revise the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C regulations to require a permitting process with rigorous safety reviews to replace the use of emergency permits under 40 CFR §270.61 for the disposal of explosive hazardous materials, including fireworks. At a minimum, the new process should require the use of best available technology, safe disposal methodologies, as well as safety management practices, such as those required by OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard (PSM), 29 CFR §1910.119 (e.g., hazard analysis and control, management of change).
2011-06-I-HI-10
Until recommendation 2011-06-I-HI-R9 can be implemented, develop and issue a policy guidance document to provide a regulatory process with rigorous safety reviews to replace the use of emergency permits under 40 CFR §270.61 for the disposal of explosive hazardous materials, including fireworks. At a minimum, the new process should require the use of best available technology, safe disposal methodologies, as well as safety management practices, such as those required by OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard (PSM), 29 CFR §1910.119 (e.g., hazard analysis and control, management of change). Ensure its effective communication to all EPA regional administrators, state environmental agencies, and organizations within the fireworks industry Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Until recommendation 2011-06-I-HI-R9 can be implemented, develop and issue a policy guidance document to provide a regulatory process with rigorous safety reviews to replace the use of emergency permits under 40 CFR §270.61 for the disposal of explosive hazardous materials, including fireworks. At a minimum, the new process should require the use of best available technology, safe disposal methodologies, as well as safety management practices, such as those required by OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard (PSM), 29 CFR §1910.119 (e.g., hazard analysis and control, management of change). Ensure its effective communication to all EPA regional administrators, state environmental agencies, and organizations within the fireworks industry
2011-06-I-HI-11
Effectively participate in the National Fire Protection Association’s standard development process to develop guidance on the safe and environmentally sound disposal of fireworks, as recommended under recommendation 2011-06-I-HI-R7. Status Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Effectively participate in the National Fire Protection Association’s standard development process to develop guidance on the safe and environmentally sound disposal of fireworks, as recommended under recommendation 2011-06-I-HI-R7. Status
2007-1-I-NC-1
Ensure that the emergency response planning required for permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (40 CFR 264.37) includes providing written information to state and local emergency response officials on the type, approximate quantities, and locations of materials within the facility (similar to reporting requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act). Additionally, ensure that permit holders periodically update this information throughout the ten-year permit period. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Ensure that the emergency response planning required for permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (40 CFR 264.37) includes providing written information to state and local emergency response officials on the type, approximate quantities, and locations of materials within the facility (similar to reporting requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act). Additionally, ensure that permit holders periodically update this information throughout the ten-year permit period.
2004-10-I-IL-7
Ensure that the EPA's Enforcement Alert concerning PVC facilities includes the causes and lessons learned from this investigation. Emphasize the importance of analyzing human factors and the need to implement adequate safeguards to minimize the likelihood and consequences of human error that could result in catastrophic incidents. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Ensure that the EPA's Enforcement Alert concerning PVC facilities includes the causes and lessons learned from this investigation. Emphasize the importance of analyzing human factors and the need to implement adequate safeguards to minimize the likelihood and consequences of human error that could result in catastrophic incidents.
2001-01-H-3
Revise the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements, 40 CFR 68, to explicitly cover catastrophic reactive hazards that have the potential to seriously impact the public, including those resulting from self-reactive chemicals and combinations of chemicals and process-specific conditions. Take into account the recommendations of this report to OSHA on reactive hazard coverage. Seek congressional authority if necessary to amend the regulation. Status: Open - Acceptable Response or Alternate Response
Revise the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements, 40 CFR 68, to explicitly cover catastrophic reactive hazards that have the potential to seriously impact the public, including those resulting from self-reactive chemicals and combinations of chemicals and process-specific conditions. Take into account the recommendations of this report to OSHA on reactive hazard coverage. Seek congressional authority if necessary to amend the regulation.
2001-01-H-4
Modify the accident reporting requirements in RMP* Info to define and record reactive incidents. Consider adding the term "reactive incident" to the four existing "release events" in EPA's current 5-year accident reporting requirements (Gas Release, Liquid Spill/Evaporation, Fire, and Explosion). Structure this information collection to allow EPA and its stakeholders to identify and focus resources on industry sectors that experienced the incidents; chemicals and processes involved; and impact on the public, the workforce, and the environment. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Modify the accident reporting requirements in RMP* Info to define and record reactive incidents. Consider adding the term "reactive incident" to the four existing "release events" in EPA's current 5-year accident reporting requirements (Gas Release, Liquid Spill/Evaporation, Fire, and Explosion). Structure this information collection to allow EPA and its stakeholders to identify and focus resources on industry sectors that experienced the incidents; chemicals and processes involved; and impact on the public, the workforce, and the environment.
2019-01-I-TX-8
Modify 40 C.F.R. §68.115(b)(2)(i) to expand coverage of the RMP rule to include all flammable liquids, including mixtures, with a flammability rating of NFPA-3 or higher. (Superseded 2010-02-I-PR-R1 from the Caribbean Petroleum (CAPECO) report) Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Modify 40 C.F.R. §68.115(b)(2)(i) to expand coverage of the RMP rule to include all flammable liquids, including mixtures, with a flammability rating of NFPA-3 or higher.
(Superseded 2010-02-I-PR-R1 from the Caribbean Petroleum (CAPECO) report)
1998-06-I-NJ-9
Participate in a hazard investigation of reactive chemical process safety conducted by the CSB. The objectives of the special investigation will include: Determine the frequency and severity of reactive chemical incidents. Examine how industry, OSHA, and EPA are currently addressing reactive chemical hazards. Determine the differences, if any, between large/medium/small companies with regard to reactive chemical policies, practices, in-house reactivity research, testing, and process engineering. Analyze the effectiveness of industry and OSHA use of the National Fire Protection Association Reactivity Rating system for process safety management purposes. Develop recommendations for reducing the number and severity of reactive chemical incidents. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Participate in a hazard investigation of reactive chemical process safety conducted by the CSB. The objectives of the special investigation will include: Determine the frequency and severity of reactive chemical incidents. Examine how industry, OSHA, and EPA are currently addressing reactive chemical hazards. Determine the differences, if any, between large/medium/small companies with regard to reactive chemical policies, practices, in-house reactivity research, testing, and process engineering. Analyze the effectiveness of industry and OSHA use of the National Fire Protection Association Reactivity Rating system for process safety management purposes. Develop recommendations for reducing the number and severity of reactive chemical incidents.
1998-06-I-NJ-8
Issue joint guidelines on good practices for handling reactive chemical process hazards. Ensure that these guidelines, at a minimum, address the following issues: The evaluation of reactive hazards and the consequences of reasonably foreseeable and worst-case deviations from normal operations. The importance of reporting and investigating deviations from normal operations. The determination of proper design for pressure relief capability, emergency cooling process controls, alarms, and safety interlocks, as well as other good-practice design features for handling reactive substances. The appropriate use of chemical screening techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Issue joint guidelines on good practices for handling reactive chemical process hazards. Ensure that these guidelines, at a minimum, address the following issues: The evaluation of reactive hazards and the consequences of reasonably foreseeable and worst-case deviations from normal operations. The importance of reporting and investigating deviations from normal operations. The determination of proper design for pressure relief capability, emergency cooling process controls, alarms, and safety interlocks, as well as other good-practice design features for handling reactive substances. The appropriate use of chemical screening techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry.
2011-H-1-1
Publish a safety alert directed to owners and operators of exploration and production facilities with flammable storage tanks, advising them of their general duty clause responsibilities for accident prevention under the Clean Air Act. At a minimum, the safety alert should: a. Warn that storage tanks at unmanned facilities may be subject to tampering or introduction of ignition sources by members of the public, which could result in a tank explosion or other accidental release to the environment b. Recommend the use of inherently safer storage tank design features to reduce the likelihood of explosions, including restrictions on the use of open vents for flammable hydrocarbons, flame arrestors, pressure vacuum vent valves, floating roofs, vapor recovery systems or an equivalent alternative. c. Describe sufficient security measures to prevent non-employee access to flammable storage tanks, including such measures as a full fence surrounding the tank with locked gate, hatch locks on tank manways, and barriers securely attached to tank external ladders or stairways d. Recommend that hazard signs or placards be displayed on or near tanks to identify the fire and explosion hazards using words and symbols recognizable by the general public Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Publish a safety alert directed to owners and operators of exploration and production facilities with flammable storage tanks, advising them of their general duty clause responsibilities for accident prevention under the Clean Air Act. At a minimum, the safety alert should: a. Warn that storage tanks at unmanned facilities may be subject to tampering or introduction of ignition sources by members of the public, which could result in a tank explosion or other accidental release to the environment b. Recommend the use of inherently safer storage tank design features to reduce the likelihood of explosions, including restrictions on the use of open vents for flammable hydrocarbons, flame arrestors, pressure vacuum vent valves, floating roofs, vapor recovery systems or an equivalent alternative. c. Describe sufficient security measures to prevent non-employee access to flammable storage tanks, including such measures as a full fence surrounding the tank with locked gate, hatch locks on tank manways, and barriers securely attached to tank external ladders or stairways d. Recommend that hazard signs or placards be displayed on or near tanks to identify the fire and explosion hazards using words and symbols recognizable by the general public