Washington D.C. August 12, 2025 – The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is sending a team to investigate the fatal explosions and fires at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, that occurred on August 11. Two people were fatally injured, and at least ten others were injured and sent to area hospitals for medical treatment.
CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, “The CSB will work to determine the cause of this tragic incident and identify actions that can be taken to help ensure that a similar disaster like this does not happen again.”
The Clairton Coke Works facility processes raw coal into coke, which is then used as a primary component in steelmaking. The massive, 392-acre facility is located about 15 miles outside of Pittsburgh and is considered the largest coking facility in North America. Nearly 1,300 employees report to the facility daily.
CSB Board Member Sylvia Johnson added, “This is a very serious incident that fatally injured two people and put others at serious risk. It should not have happened and potentially could have been prevented.”
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating incidents and hazards that result, or may result, in the catastrophic release of extremely hazardous substances. The agency’s core mission activities include conducting incident investigations; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.
The agency's board members are appointed by the president subject to Senate confirmation. The Board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.
Please visit our website, www.csb.gov. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at [email protected].