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On November 22, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a September 29 chemical reaction and toxic gas release at the Bio-Lab, Inc., facility in Conyers, Georgia. The incident led to a massive fire and plume of toxic smoke that threatened the surrounding community and the […]
On November 20, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into an October 10 fatal release of hydrogen sulfide gas at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Texas that killed two workers and injured 13 others. During maintenance activities at the refinery, approximately 27,000 pounds of toxic […]
On November 15, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a July 31 hazardous ammonia release at the Cuisine Solutions, Inc., food processing facility in Sterling, Virginia. On July 31, anhydrous ammonia was accidentally released at Cuisine Solutions’ facility. At the time of the incident, 286 […]
Artco-Bell Corp., a Temple, Texas, school furnishings manufacturer, faces a $257,183 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fine after a worker sustained serious, permanent hand and arm injuries, the agency announced October 21. According to OSHA, the worker’s injuries could have been prevented had the employer installed required machine guards. Agency investigators learned that in […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) issued a call for greater use of remote isolation equipment at U.S. chemical facilities, the board announced July 25. A new safety study titled “Remote Isolation of Process Equipment” offered recommendations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine chemical hazard “worker right-to-know” compliance. Both communities and workers need to understand the chemical hazards they might encounter. Hazard communication, or “worker right-to-know,” is the workplace counterpart to community right-to-know. While […]
On July 17, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a January 2023 explosion and toxic chemical release at the Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies facility in Geismar, Louisiana. A reboiler at the facility exploded, leading to the release of over 870 pounds (lb) of hydrogen […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a final report on a fatal 2022 naphtha release and fire at the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery in Oregon, Ohio, the board announced June 24. The chemical release and fire led to the deaths of two BP employees, who were brothers. During an emergency at the […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) on June 4 announced it deployed a team to investigate a fatal fire at a liquid nitriding facility in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. One person died after suffering severe burns during the incident at the TS USA facility, which uses a nitriding process to harden the outer […]
On December 6, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on the deadly explosions and fires at the Didion Milling, Inc., dry corn milling facility in Cambria, Wisconsin. The May 2017 explosion fatally injured five employees and seriously injured another 14. The incident destroyed the facility, resulting in over […]