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U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
470 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Suite 604 #23278
Washington, District of Columbia, 20026
United States
(202) 261-7600

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is an independent, nonregulatory federal agency charged with investigating the root causes of major chemical incidents and hazards that result, or may result, in the catastrophic release of extremely hazardous substances.

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 the EPA.

The CSB's public safety mission is to drive chemical safety excellence through independent investigations to protect communities, workers, and the environment. Its 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 was created under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. In the CSB’S 25-year history, the agency has deployed to nearly 180 chemical incidents and issued more than 1,000 recommendations that have led to numerous safety improvements across a wide variety of industries. 

CSB board members are appointed by the president subject to Senate confirmation.

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U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in the News

CSB releases update on fatal Nippon Dynawave storage tank collapse

Inspections up to 10 months before G Tank’s failure flagged wall thinning. Why Nippon Dynawave did not repair or remove it from service remains under CSB investigation.

CSB publishes Foundation Food Group liquid nitrogen release video

The CSB’s Foundation Food Group safety video examines how a single bent tube caused a liquid nitrogen release, killing two employees & four others during rescue attempts.

CSB releases update on fatal Catalyst Refiners hydrogen sulfide release investigation

The CSB found respirators without appropriate filters to protect against hydrogen sulfide gas, which employees were not required to wear, nor were they issued personal gas…

Didion Milling implements all nine CSB recommendations

Didion Milling cooperated with the CSB to address combustible dust hazards through engineering & administrative controls after a 2017 explosion killed five employees &…

CSB releases final report into fatal U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works explosion

The CSB found process safety management, hazard analysis, & facility siting issues contributed to the fatal gas valve failure and explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke…

CSB releases final report on toxic fire at Georgia Bio-Lab

The CSB identified 5 key safety issues after investigating a toxic fire at Bio-Lab in Conyers, Georgia. It again urged OSHA and the EPA to expand reactive hazards regulatory…

CSB issues update on fatal Woodland Pulp hydrogen sulfide release

The CSB is investigating Woodland Pulp’s lack of fixed and wearable gas monitors, alarms, ventilation, and personnel control after two employees were killed in a toxic gas…

CSB warns chemical facilities to prepare for hurricane season

The CSB is warning chemical facilities to prepare for hurricane season now to prevent dangerous chemical releases and fires during severe storms.

CSB Says Fatal Kentucky Plant Explosion Was ‘Waiting to Happen’

The CSB says a deadly 2024 explosion at a Kentucky caramel coloring plant could have been prevented and exposed serious safety failures tied to reactor design and hazard planning.

CSB investigating fatal Catalyst Refiners hydrogen sulfide release

Two employees were killed by a hydrogen sulfide leak & explosion when nitric acid and another chemical mixed during work to close down the Nitro, West Virginia silver…

CSB commends AFPM for voluntary refinery safety outreach

The CSB commended the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers for hosting workshops and creating a webpage with fluid catalytic cracking safety resources for refineries.

CSB issues update on fatal AES explosion investigation

The CSB is investigating Accurate Energetic Systems’ “melt-pour” manufacturing process, process safety management, and industry guidance for commercial high explosive…

OSHA fines U.S. Steel, MPW Industrial Services for Clairton Coke Works explosion

OSHA investigators concluded U.S. Steel and MPW Industrial Services exposed workers to explosion, struck-by, and high-pressure injection hazards, proposing nearly $180,000 in…

CSB releases final report on hydrogen sulfide release at PEMEX Deer Park Refinery

The CSB concluded PEMEX Deer Park Refinery operators and contractors failed to correctly identify process equipment, assess hazards, and deviated from established policies and…

OSHA cites Horizon Biofuels nearly $150K for willful safety violations

As part of its investigation, OSHA fined Horizon Biofuels nearly $150K for willful safety violations. A combustible dust explosion killed three at its Fremont, Nebraska facility…

CSB launches investigation into Woodland Pulp chemical release

According to initial information submitted to the CSB, the fatal incident in Baileyville, Maine may have involved the release of hydrogen sulfide in an enclosed process sewer.