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

Didion Milling Company Explosion and Fire (2 Recommendations)
Didion Milling, Inc. (2 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: December 06, 2023

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: 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

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: 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

United States Steel Corporation Clairton Plant Coke Oven Explosion (5 Recommendations)
MPW Industrial Services, Inc. (1 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: August 10, 2026

2025-03-I-PA-7

Develop written policies and procedures in accordance with industry guidance such as NFPA 56 Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flammable Gas Piping Systems, governing cleaning piping systems containing flammable or toxic gas. Ensure that all workers who will or might participate in such operations are trained on the policies and procedures.


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

Nippon Steel North America, Inc. (1 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: August 10, 2026

2025-03-I-PA-6

Develop and implement a corporate process safety governance program to ensure the implementation of process safety management at applicable facilities. At a minimum, this program shall:

a. include regular audits of subordinate facilities throughout the organization;

b. require the documentation of process safety deficiencies, when identified, and prompt corrective action; and,

c. incorporate industry guidance, such as the Center for Chemical Process Safety’s (CCPS) Guidelines for Implementing Process Safety Management, the CCPS’s Process Safety – Leadership from the Boardroom to the Frontline, and other industry good practice guidance publications.


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

U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works (3 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: August 10, 2026

2025-03-I-PA-3

Develop a written procedure in accordance with industry guidance such as NFPA 56 Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flammable Gas Piping Systems, for washing valve seats with pressurized water. Ensure that the procedure includes steps and other controls, including overpressure protection, to minimize the hazards of the operation. Ensure that workers who will or might perform the operation are involved in the development of the procedure and are trained on the procedure.


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

2025-03-I-PA-4

Conduct a hazard analysis or safety validation of the written valve washing procedure in accordance with NFPA 56 Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flammable Gas Piping Systems. Ensure that workers who will or might perform the operation are involved in the analysis or validation.


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

2025-03-I-PA-5

Develop a comprehensive process safety management system, incorporating guidance from the Center for Chemical Process Safety’s Guidelines for Risk Based Process Safety and other industry good practice guidance publications, and apply it to all coke oven gas processes at the Clairton facility.


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

Bio-Lab Inc. Conyers Fire and Chemical Release (2 Recommendations)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2 Recommendations)
Open: 100% | Closed: 0%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: July 21, 2026

2024-04-I-GA-6

Revise NFPA 400 Hazardous Materials Code, Section G.4 Safety Information on Oxidizers Used in Swimming Pools, to address the potential for pool-treatment chemicals to demonstrate characteristics of hazard classifications other than those of oxidizers, and that each additional hazard classification must conform to the code requirements for each applicable hazardous material classification in accordance with Section 4.4 Multiple Hazards.


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

2024-04-I-GA-7

Revise NFPA 400 Hazardous Materials Code, Section G.4 Safety Information on Oxidizers Used in Swimming Pools, to include information regarding the potential for oxidizers to corrode metals such as sprinkler components and reference NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinklers.


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