News Releases - Media Room

CSB Considers National Safety Issues as West Pharmaceutical Investigation Continues One Year after Explosion

Jan 28, 2004

(Washington, DC - January 28, 2004) The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has broadened its investigation into the root causes of the catastrophic dust explosion and fire which occurred at the West Pharmaceutical Services plant in Kinston, NC, on January 29, 2003, initiating a nationwide review of safety issues raised by accident.

Dr. Gerald Poje Testifies before New York City Council Committee on Need to Update City Fire Code in Wake of Kaltech Explosion

Dec 10, 2003

(New York City - December 10, 2003) Testifying today at a New York City Council committee hearing, U.S. Chemical Safety Board Member Dr. Gerald Poje said the city should update its antiquated fire code to prevent chemical explosions like the one that heavily damaged a Manhattan commercial building last year.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board to Conduct Full Investigation of DPC Enterprises Chlorine Leak in Glendale, Arizona

Nov 20, 2003

(Washington, D.C., Nov. 20, 2003) The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced today it will extend to a full investigation its inquiry into the chlorine release which occurred at the DPC Enterprises facility in Glendale, Arizona (near Phoenix) last Monday, Nov. 17.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Deploys Investigation Team to Site of DPC Enterprises Chlorine Leak in Glendale, Arizona

Nov 18, 2003

Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2003 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has deployed an investigation team to conduct a preliminary investigation into the chlorine release which occurred at the DPC Enterprises facility in Glendale, AZ, yesterday.

On First Anniversary of Investigation, Board Releases Data on 167 Serious Reactive Incidents

Nov 17, 2003

Washington, DC - September 17, 2003 -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released detailed information on the 167 serious chemical incidents analyzed in the agency's landmark 2002 study on reactive hazards, marking the first anniversary of the Board's vote for broad new initiatives to control the dangers from uncontrolled chemical reactions. The incidents covered are fires, explosions, toxic gas releases or other events where uncontrolled chemical reactions resulted in deaths, injuries, or damage, or had the potential to do so. All the incidents occurred in the U.S. between 1980 and 2001; together they were responsible for 108 deaths and numerous injuries. Following completion of the reactive study in September 2002, agency staff went back and reviewed information on each incident to ensure that it met criteria for public release.

CSB Investigators Find Likely Source of Dust Explosion at Indiana Automotive Plant

Nov 05, 2003

(Huntington, Indiana - November 5, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) have determined that last week's fatal accident at the Hayes Lemmerz automotive parts plant here likely involved an explosion of aluminum dust that originated near an aluminum chip melting furnace.

CSB Team Heading to Site of Explosions at Indiana Automotive Parts Factory

Oct 30, 2003

(Washington, DC - October 30, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are en route to the site of a series of explosions Wednesday night at the Hayes Lemmerz aluminum wheel casting plant in Huntington, Indiana, near Fort Wayne.

CSB Case Study Cites Deficient Management Systems, Inadequate Safeguards in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, Explosion and Fire

Oct 29, 2003

Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that an explosion and fire at Catalyst Systems Inc. in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, last January most likely occurred when 200 pounds of benzoyl peroxide in a vacuum dryer rapidly decomposed. The runaway chemical reaction produced large volumes of gas under high pressure.

Investigators Present Final Report On First Chemical Corp. Explosion - Cite Inadequate Safety Systems, Lack of Warning Devices

Oct 15, 2003

Pascagoula, Mississippi, October 15, 2003 - Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that the October 2002 plant explosion here occurred because First Chemical Corporation had not effectively evaluated the hazards of a chemical process that ran out of control. The blast blew the top off a distillation tower that was approximately 145 feet tall and propelled tons of fiery debris in the air, raining down onto adjacent industrial facilities and narrowly missing nearby hazardous chemical tanks.

Investigators Present Final Report On First Chemical Corp. Explosion - Cite Inadequate Safety Systems, Lack of Warning Devices

Oct 15, 2003

(Pascagoula, Mississippi, October 15, 2003) Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) have concluded that the October 2002 plant explosion here occurred because First Chemical Corporation had not effectively evaluated the hazards of a chemical process that ran out of control. The blast blew the top off a distillation tower that was approximately 145 feet tall and propelled tons of fiery debris in the air, raining down onto adjacent industrial facilities and narrowly missing nearby hazardous chemical tanks.