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.
2024-01-H-2
Update the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule by expanding the requirements of 40 CFR Part 68 to include an evaluation of the need for remote isolation devices for major process equipment that can be remotely activated from a safe location or automatically activated during a release. The evaluation should be included in hazard assessments, hazard reviews, and process hazard analyses. Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Update the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule by expanding the requirements of 40 CFR Part 68 to include an evaluation of the need for remote isolation devices for major process equipment that can be remotely activated from a safe location or automatically activated during a release. The evaluation should be included in hazard assessments, hazard reviews, and process hazard analyses.
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.
2023-02-I-LA-4
Per the requirements in EPA Rule Procedures for Prioritization of Chemicals for Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, initiate prioritization to evaluate whether hydrogen fluoride, including its anhydrous and aqueous acid forms, is a High-Priority Substance for risk evaluation. If it is determined to be a High-Priority Substance, conduct a risk evaluation of hydrogen fluoride to determine whether it presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. If it is determined to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, apply requirements to hydrogen fluoride to the extent necessary to eliminate or significantly mitigate the risk, for example by using a methodology such as the hierarchy of controls. (Supersedes 2019-04-I-PA-R3 from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Report) Status: Open - Awaiting Response or Evaluation/Approval of Response
Per the requirements in EPA Rule Procedures for Prioritization of Chemicals for Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, initiate prioritization to evaluate whether hydrogen fluoride, including its anhydrous and aqueous acid forms, is a High-Priority Substance for risk evaluation. If it is determined to be a High-Priority Substance, conduct a risk evaluation of hydrogen fluoride to determine whether it presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. If it is determined to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, apply requirements to hydrogen fluoride to the extent necessary to eliminate or significantly mitigate the risk, for example by using a methodology such as the hierarchy of controls.
(Supersedes 2019-04-I-PA-R3 from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Report)
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)