Washington, DC, January 14, 2011 - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today announced the panel participants for its public meeting to present findings from Bayer CropScience investigation, which will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at West Virginia State University in Institute, WV. The CSB’s investigation team will present its final report into the August 28, 2008, explosion of a waste tank and the ensuing fire in the methomyl production unit.
The meeting will be held from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at West Virginia State University in Sullivan Hall, Wilson University Union Multipurpose Room 103 in Institute, WV. Following the presentation from the investigative team, the board members will hear testimony on proposed recommendations from the following individuals:
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Kent Carper – President, Kanawha County Commission
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Dr. Rahul Gupta, MD, MPH, FACP – Health Officer and Executive Director, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
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Joe Davenport - Director of Union Health, Safety and Environment, IAMAW Local 656
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Pam Nixon – Environmental Advocate, WV Department of Environmental Protection
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Maya Nye – Spokeswoman, People Concerned about MIC
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Jim Payne – President, United Steelworkers Local 5, California
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Randy Sawyer –Hazardous Materials Programs Director, Contra Costa County, California
Following the panel presentations, members of the audience will have an opportunity to present a public comment to the Board. The meeting is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required, but to assure adequate seating attendees are encouraged to pre-register by emailing their names and affiliations to [email protected].
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.
The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. Visit our website, www.csb.gov.
For more information, contact Acting Director of Public Affairs Hillary Cohen, (202) 261-3601, cell (202) 446-8094 or Board Affairs Specialist Amy McCormick at (202) 261-7630, cell (202) 640-8945.