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.


Quick Search

 
Recommendations Status:
 
 
Expand All

Recommendations

DuPont La Porte Facility Toxic Chemical Release (9 Recommendations)
DuPont LaPorte, Texas Chemical Facility (7 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: June 25, 2019

2015-01-I-TX-1

Prior to resuming Insecticide Business Unit (IBU) manufacturing operations, conduct a comprehensive
engineering analysis of the manufacturing building and the discharge of pressure relief systems with toxic
chemical scenarios to assess potential inherently safer design options. At a minimum, evaluate the use of
an open building structure, and the direction of toxic chemical leaks and the discharge of pressure relief
systems with toxic chemical scenarios to a destruction system. Implement inherently safer design
principles to the greatest extent feasible and effectively apply the hierarchy of controls such that neither
workers nor the public are harmed from potential highly toxic chemical releases. Detail the analysis,
findings, and corrective actions in a written report and make this report available to DuPont La Porte
employees, their representatives, and the CSB.

Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendations Status Change Summary

2015-01-I-TX-2

Prior to resuming Insecticide Business Unit (IBU) manufacturing operations, conduct a robust
engineering evaluation of the manufacturing building and the dilution air ventilation system that includes
the implementation of corrective action(s) to the greatest extent feasible in order to ensure a safe
environment for all workers. Develop a documented design basis for the manufacturing building and the
air dilution ventilation system that identifies effective controls for highly toxic, asphyxiation, and
flammability hazards and implement these controls to the greatest extent feasible. Address nonroutine
operations and emergency response activities in the design basis. The design basis for the manufacturing
building and the dilution air ventilation system must use the hierarchy of controls and inherently safer
design principles to the greatest extent feasible.

Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendations Status Change Summary

2015-01-I-TX-3

Prior to resuming manufacturing operations, ensure all Insecticides Business Unit (IBU) pressure relief
systems are routed to a safe location and effectively apply the hierarchy of controls to protect workers and
the public. Commission a pressure relief device analysis, consistent with API Standard 521 and the
ASME Code, including a field review. Include an evaluation of relief system discharge location to ensure
that relief systems are discharged to a safe location that will prevent toxic exposure, flammability, or
asphyxiation hazards in order to ensure public and worker health and safety to the greatest extent feasible.
Include an evaluation of relief scenarios consistent with API Standard 521.

Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendations Status Change Summary

2015-01-I-TX-4

Develop and implement an expedited schedule to perform more robust process hazard analyses (PHAs)
consistent with R1, R2, and R3 for all units within the Insecticides Business Unit (IBU). At a minimum,
the PHAs must effectively identify and control the hazards referenced in this document utilizing the
hierarchy of controls. The PHA schedule must be prioritized based on anticipated risks to the public and
workers in order to ensure that the highest risk areas receive priority consideration. At a minimum, the
more robust PHAs must be consistent with the approach applied to post-incident reviews described above
in paragraph 10.

Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendations Status Change Summary

2015-01-I-TX-5

Work together with the International Chemical Workers Union Council of the United Food and
Commercial Workers (ICWUC/UFCW) Local 900C and the ICWUC/UFCW staff (at the request of the
local) to develop and implement a plan to ensure active participation of the workforce and their
representatives in the implementation of Recommendations R1 through R4. In addition, provide a copy
of DuPont’s integrated plan for restart to La Porte workers and their local union representatives.

Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendations Status Change Summary

2015-01-I-TX-6

Make publicly available (on a website) a summary of the DuPont November 15, 2014 incident
investigation report, the integrated plan for restart, and actions to be taken for the implementation of
Recommendations R1 through R5. This website must be periodically updated to accurately reflect the
integrated plan for restart and implementation of Recommendations R1 through R5.

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 Recommendations Status Change Summary

2015-01-I-TX-8

Work together with emergency response team (ERT) member companies (DuPont, Chemours, Kuraray, and Invista), the International Chemical Workers Union Council of the United Food and Commercial Workers (ICWUC/UFCW) Local 900C, and the ICWUC/UFCW staff (if requested by the Local 900C) to update the DuPont La Porte emergency response plan. The emergency response program should ensure that periodic exercises or drills are performed on new procedures developed to address key lessons to strengthen ERT capabilities. The emergency response program should address the following:

  • Preidentifying unit experts as technical support personnel and ensuring that backup capability is available in the event the primary technical support personnel become unavailable. (Section 4.2: Process Coordinator Was Missing)
  • Clearly detailing in plant emergency procedures the alerting and notification protocols for different types of plant emergencies. Provide initial training to new plant personnel and periodic training to all plant personnel on these emergency communication procedures. These procedures should also include guidance for emergency responders when there is insufficient initial information to effectively assess the nature of the problem and the level of ERT resources required. (Section 4.3.1: Call for ERT Response)
  • Developing and applying regular maintenance schedules for emergency response vehicles consistent with the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Emergency Vehicles (NFPA 1911), which requires weekly visual and operational checks of emergency vehicles and has example checklists to use when performing preventive maintenance on emergency vehicles. (Section 4.3.2: ERT Mini-Pumper Truck Not Operational)
  • Ensuring that ERTs have reliable means to characterize hazardous atmospheres, for example equipment that monitors toxicity, explosivity, and oxygen levels. Additionally, ensure that ERT members know where the equipment is stored, can access it, and are trained on its proper use. (Section 4.4.1: Entry into Potentially Explosive Atmosphere)
  • Evaluating high-hazard areas, including PSM covered processes, to determine whether detectors and alarms are necessary to identify chemical releases (or other types of emergencies). Additionally, consider equipping high-hazard areas with surveillance technology to identify personnel in the field. (Section 4.4.2: No Technology to Locate Missing Workers)
  • Developing and implementing written policy and procedures to update emergency response plan documents when hazards are identified. For example, personnel can identify these types of hazards in process hazard analyses, facility siting studies, management of change reviews, and incident investigations. Changes to emergency planning documents should be effectively communicated to the site ERT as soon as possible after identifying the hazard. (Section 4.4.3: Unrecognized Manufacturing Building Collapse Hazard)
  • Ensuring that emergency response planning accounts for difficulties in conducting response efforts, including (1) maps included in emergency response plans to show the layout of buildings containing hazardous chemicals, for use by emergency responders and to aid evacuation and rescue efforts; (2) coordination of periodic (at least annual) site tours for plant and external emergency responders; (3) training emergency responders to help ensure familiarity with facility access points, hazards, emergency response issues, and site or facility layout; and (4) building teamwork by having members (from the different companies) of the ERT field train (by conducting drills) together when practicable. (Section 4.5: Difficulties Navigating Manufacturing Building)
  • Assigning knowledgeable personnel the responsibility to analyze process data to assess the source, scope, and magnitude of any incident. (Section 4.6: No Analysis of Process Data to Identify Source of Leak)
  • Training emergency response team members to (1) physically designate the hot zone; (2) communicate the location of the hot zone and entry control points to all personnel assisting with the emergency response, including operations personnel; and (3) control entry and exit points of the hot zone. (Section 4.7: Inadequate Control of Hot Zone)
  • Addressing in the emergency response plan how to characterize (including size, concentration, location, and direction of release) hazardous chemical releases and providing guidance on how and where people should take protective action (e.g., sheltering-in-place) in the event of a chemical release. (Section 4.8.1: Release Modeling)
  • Developing a procedure in the emergency response plan to effectively monitor for hazardous gases along the fence line at chemical facilities during the release to help workers understand and clearly communicate the extent of a release. (Section 4.8.4: Air Monitoring)

In addition, provide a copy of the emergency response plan to the Emergency Response Team and their local union representatives.


Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change

International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC) of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and Local 900C (2 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: June 25, 2019

2015-01-I-TX-7

Work together with DuPont to develop and implement a plan to ensure active participation of the
workforce and their representatives in the implementation of Recommendations R1 through R4.

Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendations Status Change Summary

2015-01-I-TX-9

Work together with DuPont to develop and implement the emergency response plan described in Recommendation R8 (2015-01-I-TX-R8).


Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change

E. I. DuPont De Nemours Co. Fatal Hotwork Explosion (4 Recommendations)
E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company (4 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: April 19, 2012

2011-01-I-NY-1

Develop and enforce corporate-directed policies and procedures which will require all DuPont facilities to audit their hot work permitting systems prior to initiating hot work to ensure that:

  • All potential explosion hazards associated with hot work activities are identified and mitigated
  • All relevant forms required for permits are completed in accordance with corporate policies and industry standards (including NFPA 326 and NFPA 51B)
  • Appropriate DuPont personnel officially approve hot work permits, by signature or equivalent, consistent with DuPont policies

 


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 Download

2011-01-I-NY-2

Revise corporate policies and procedures to require that all process piping, or similar connections to tanks or vessels be positively isolated, (using closed valves, blind flanges or pancake blanks) and the equipment appropriately vented before authorizing any hot work.


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 Download

2011-01-I-NY-3

Revise corporate policies and procedures to require that the atmosphere inside the container be monitored for flammable vapor prior to performing any welding, cutting, or grinding on the container surface.


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 Download

2011-01-I-NY-4

Revise corporate policies and procedures to require air monitoring for flammable vapor inside the container for the duration of the hot work consistent with industry standards (NFPA 326, NFPA 51B). Create a policy for determining criteria for requiring continuous or periodic testing for the duration of hot work.


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 Download

Emergency Shutdown Systems for Chlorine Transfer (1 Recommendations)
Department of Transportation (DOT) (1 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: June 14, 2007

2005-06-I-LA-1

Expand the scope of DOT regulatory coverage to include chlorine railcar unloading operations. Ensure the regulations specifically require remotely operated emergency isolation devices that will quickly isolate a leak in any of the flexible hoses (or piping components) used to unload a chlorine railcar. The shutdown system must be capable of stopping a chlorine release from both the railcar and the facility chlorine receiving equipment. Require the emergency isolation system be periodically maintained and operationally tested to ensure it will function in the event of an unloading system chlorine leak.


Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

Enterprise Pascagoula Gas Plant Explosion and Fire (5 Recommendations)
American Petroleum Institute (API) (1 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: February 13, 2019

2016-02-I-MS-1

Develop a new informational product or incorporate into the next revision of Brazed Aluminum Plate-Fin Heat Exchangers for General Refinery Services 1st ed.; ANSI/API Standard 668 (formerly Standard 662, Part 2), guidance focused on the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of brazed aluminum heat exchangers (BAHX) to advance understanding of thermal fatigue hazards and how to mitigate them. At a minimum the informational product/incorporated material must include:

a. Information on the potential for both minor leaks and catastrophic failure as a result of accumulated thermal fatigue (beyond a single cyclic thermal shock event);

b. Clarification on the optimal placement of BAHX temperature and pressure sensors to effectively monitor the operating conditions for the potential impact of accumulated thermal fatigue on BAHX, including temperature rates of change; and

c. Clarification on the need to safely vent layers that have been blocked off as part of the repair process for interpass leaks in all BAHX configurations, as well as information describing the consequences when safe venting does not occur.

d. Should applicable data from CSB Recommendation No. 2016-02-I-MS-R4 (R4) be available prior to finalizing the requirements of this recommendation, then the data from R4 will be considered for inclusion and/or incorporation by reference in the product required by this recommendation. If the decision is made not to include/incorporate by reference the data from R4, then a detailed explanation for the exclusion will be provided.


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

GPA Midstream Association (3 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: February 13, 2019

2016-02-I-MS-2

Revise GPA Technical Bulletin: Brazed Aluminum Heat Exchangers, or develop a new bulletin, to incorporate the significant lessons learned from this incident, including but not limited to:

a. information on the potential of both minor leaks and catastrophic failure as a result of thermal fatigue;

b. clarification on the optimal placement of BAHX temperature and pressure sensors to better monitor operating conditions, including temperature rates of change; and

c. clarification on the need to safely vent layers that have been blocked off after interpass leak repairs, in all BAHX configurations.


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

2016-02-I-MS-3

Develop a database for operators to submit BAHX operational data for collaborative industry learning and analysis. Encourage your members to submit pressure and temperature data associated with the entire service life of brazed aluminum heat exchangers as well as the date(s) of leak(s) or failure(s) for each exchanger on which data is being submitted. At a minimum this system should:

a. provide a way to anonymously input data into the database;

b. specify the time interval between measurements such that data can be normalized across different exchangers; and

c. capture the type of service in which the exchanger was operating.


Status: Closed - Reconsidered/Superseded
Closed - Reconsidered/Superseded (C - R/S) - Recipient rejects the recommendation and also supports the rejection with a rationale with which the Board concurs. This designation may apply when later facts indicate that the concerns expressed in the recommendation were actually addressed prior to the incident, or when a recommendation is superseded by a new, more appropriate recommendation.
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

2016-02-I-MS-4

Using available operational process data of BAHXs in midstream gas plant operation collected in fulfillment of 2016-02-I-MS-R3, continue data analysis efforts to determine what, if any, correlation exists between operational process data and the frequency or timing of thermal fatigue-generated cracking to more accurately predict the service life of a BAHX.

Should predictors be identified, develop and offer to your members industry tools, techniques, or criteria for estimating when thermal fatigue warrants preemptive replacement of a BAHX (e.g., risk assessment tools or damage rate calculations).


Status: Closed - No Longer Applicable
Closed - No Longer Applicable (C - NLA) - Due to subsequent events, the recommendation action no longer applies (e.g., the facility was destroyed or the company went out of business).
 

PDF Document Recommendation Status Change Summary

Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Jackson County Emergency Management Agency, Jackson County Local Emergency Planning Committee (1 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: February 13, 2019

2016-02-I-MS-5

Work with members (industry, emergency response, community) to explicitly define the communication methods for community notification and incident updates (e.g., social media, local news outlets, passive phone system), and the expectations for their use, so that members of the public can efficiently and effectively obtain current safety information. Publish these defined community notification methods and expectations for use on the most appropriate mediums available, such as the Jackson County Emergency Management website, the Jackson County LEPC website, and the social media outlets Jackson County utilizes to disseminate safety information to the community.


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

EQ Hazardous Waste Plant Explosions and Fire (6 Recommendations)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: April 16, 2008

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
Closed - Acceptable Action (C - AA) - The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board.
 

Environmental Technology Council (2 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: April 16, 2008

2007-1-I-NC-2

 

Petition the National Fire Protection Association, following the guidelines of their "Codes and Standards Development Process" (http://www.nfpa.org/index.asp), to develop a fire protection standard (occupancy standard) specific to hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. This standard should address fire prevention, detection, control, and suppression requirements.

Note:  This recommendation was superseded by 2009-10-I-OH-R6, issued pursuant to the Veolia Environmental Services Flammable Vapor Explosion and Fire Case Study (2010).

 


Status: Closed - Reconsidered/Superseded
Closed - Reconsidered/Superseded (C - R/S) - Recipient rejects the recommendation and also supports the rejection with a rationale with which the Board concurs. This designation may apply when later facts indicate that the concerns expressed in the recommendation were actually addressed prior to the incident, or when a recommendation is superseded by a new, more appropriate recommendation.
 

2007-1-I-NC-3

 

Develop standardized guidance for the handling and storage of hazardous waste to reduce the likelihood of releases and fires at hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.

Note:  This recommendation was superseded by 2009-10-I-OH-R7, issued pursuant to the Veolia Environmental Services Flammable Vapor Explosion and Fire Case Study (2010).


Status: Closed - Reconsidered/Superseded
Closed - Reconsidered/Superseded (C - R/S) - Recipient rejects the recommendation and also supports the rejection with a rationale with which the Board concurs. This designation may apply when later facts indicate that the concerns expressed in the recommendation were actually addressed prior to the incident, or when a recommendation is superseded by a new, more appropriate recommendation.
 

Mobile Aerospace Engineering, Inc. (3 Recommendations)
Open: 0% | Closed: 100%
View Investigation
Final Report Released On: April 16, 2008

2007-1-I-NC-1 URGENT!

Revise and or develop company procedures and policies to require and ensure that unspent chemical oxygen generators that have exceeded their service life be actuated so that the chemical core is expended before shipping by any transport mode.


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 Download

2007-1-I-NC-2 URGENT!

Review and revise as necessary company procedures and policies for transporting hazardous waste to ensure that hazardous waste is correctly characterized on the shipping manifest.


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.
 

2007-1-I-NC-3 URGENT!

Communicate to all of your waste brokers and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to which unspent oxygen generators were shipped: - the hazards associated with unspent chemical oxygen generators and - that the incorrect shipping name and UN code was, or might have been used, for unspent chemical oxygen generators shipped from your facility.


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.