U.S. Chemical Safety Board
CSB wants OSHA to revise the PSM standard to require management of change reviews for organizational changes such as mergers, acquisitions that could impact process safety. The recommendation was issued following CSB's investigation of the March 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Fire and Explosion.
CSB wants OSHA to revise the PSM standard to require management of change reviews for organizational changes such as mergers, acquisitions that could impact process safety. The recommendation was issued following CSB's investigation of the March 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Fire and Explosion.
CSB wants OSHA to revise the PSM standard to require management of change reviews for organizational changes such as mergers, acquisitions that could impact process safety. The recommendation was issued following CSB's investigation of the March 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Fire and Explosion.
CSB wants OSHA to revise the PSM standard to require management of change reviews for organizational changes such as mergers, acquisitions that could impact process safety. The recommendation was issued following CSB's investigation of the March 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Fire and Explosion.
CSB wants OSHA to revise the PSM standard to require management of change reviews for organizational changes such as mergers, acquisitions that could impact process safety. The recommendation was issued following CSB's investigation of the March 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Fire and Explosion.

The Chemical Safety Board Contemplates Reprimanding OSHA on Lack of Action

July 15, 2013
The Chemical Safety Board will hold a public meeting in Washington, D.C. to vote on key safety recommendations and initiate a Most Wanted Program. The agency also plans to take OSHA to task for its lack of action on CSB recommendations.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) will hold a public meeting on July 25 in Washington to consider whether OSHA adequately has implemented seven regulatory recommendations issued by the CSB, as well as to consider the selection of the agency’s first “Most Wanted Chemical Safety Improvement.”  This action would mark the first time the agency’s board members have selected special advocacy initiatives related to chemical safety.

The morning session of the meeting will include consideration by CSB board members to designate the following recommendations CSB has made to OSHA as “Open-Unacceptable Response,” signifying that the board does not consider that OSHA has adequately implemented these recommendations:

  1. Recommendation No. 2001-05-I-DE-R1: Calls upon OSHA to ensure coverage under the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, at 29 CFR 1910.119, for atmospheric storage tanks that could be involved in a potential catastrophic release as a result of being interconnected to a covered process with 10,000 pounds of a flammable substance. This recommendation was issued following the CSB's investigation of the 2001 atmospheric tank explosion at the Motiva Delaware City Refinery.
  2. Recommendation No. 2005-04-I-TX-R9: Calls upon OSHA to revise the PSM standard to require management of change reviews for organizational changes such as mergers and acquisitions that could impact process safety. This recommendation was issued following the CSB's investigation of the March 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Fire and Explosion.
  3. Recommendation No. 2010-07-I-CT-UR1: Calls upon OSHA to issue a fuel gas safety standard for both general industry and construction. This recommendation was issued following the CSB's investigations of the February 2010 incident at Kleen Energy in Middletown, Conn., and the June 2009 explosion and ammonia release at ConAgra in Garner, N.C.

During the afternoon session, the board will consider designating four recommendations it made to OSHA calling for a comprehensive general industry standard for combustible dust as “Open-Unacceptable Response.” These recommendations resulted from CSB's investigations of the 2008 explosions and fire at the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth, Ga., and three dust-related incidents at the Hoeganaes Corp. in Gallatin, Tenn.

The board also will consider designating a combustible dust standard as the agency’s first “Most Wanted Safety Improvement,” which will trigger more intense agency advocacy efforts. 

The hearing is free and open to the public. During both the morning and afternoon sessions, members of the audience will have an opportunity to provide comments on the pending actions to be voted by the board. The meeting will be held at the Horizon Room at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The morning session will start at 9:30 a.m.; the afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!