Chemical Safety Board News

Watchdog: Chemical Safety Agency Impeded by Staff Shortage

The federal agency that investigates chemical accidents is hindered by a lack of staffing, leadership disputes and a backlog of investigations that threaten its ability to protect people and the environment, according to a new report by a federal watchdog. …

Fire at Hurricane-Hit Louisiana Chemical Plant Contained

A chlorine chemical fire that erupted last Thursday, triggering shelter-in-place orders and closing roadways in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, has been brought under control, the plant’s owner said on Friday. KIK Custom Products said the site is secured and …

Gutted Chemical Safety Board Tries to Proceed with Single Board Member

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, which has only one board member instead of the usual five, on Friday postponed a scheduled public meeting that was to include discussion of its plans to operate even as President Donald Trump pushes to …

Chemical Safety Board Again Targeted in Trump’s Proposed Budget

The Trump administration’s budget proposal will again call for eliminating the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, an independent federal agency that investigates major industrial accidents, according to a person familiar with the plan. The board, with an annual …

Harvey-Arkema Lesson: Chemical Plants Must Plan for Natural Disasters

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board on Thursday urged chemical plants to weigh the risks of natural disasters just as they would the integrity of pipes and production equipment. “Such facilities should perform an analysis to determine their susceptibility to extreme …

Trump Budget Would Eliminate Chemical Safety Board

When a Texas City refinery exploded in 2005, 15 people died. Months later, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board found that putting workers in temporary trailers near danger zones at the plant raised the death toll. Since then, temporary trailers have …

Obama Administration Under Fire for Delay on Chemical Plant Safety

The Obama administration’s lack of action to impose recommended changes to make refineries, chemical factories and sugar plants safer is set to get a public rebuke from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. The independent investigative agency said yesterday it will …

Video on West Virginia Plant Leak Urges Manufacturing Safety

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, releasing a video depicting a deadly chemical leak at a DuPont plant in Belle, West Virginia last year, said the final investigation report should remind every manufacturer to make safety a priority. The report formalizes …