[Federal Register: October 31, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 210)]
[Notices]
[Page 63751-63752]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31oc06-34]
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CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD
Sunshine Act Meeting; Public Meeting: Combustible Dust Hazards
AGENCY: U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).
ACTION: Notice announcing Sunshine Act public meeting and requesting
public comment and participation.
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SUMMARY: The CSB is planning to hold a public meeting to share findings
and recommendations of the draft combustible dust hazards investigation
report. This notice provides information regarding the purpose, date,
time, location and format for the public meeting.
DATES: The Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2006
beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Diplomat/Consulate Room, Embassy Suites
Downtown Washington, 1250 22nd St., NW., Washington, DC 20037. Meeting
will end at 12:30 p.m.
Pre-registration: The event is open to the public and there is no
fee for attendance or pre-registration required. However, attendees are
strongly encouraged to pre-register by e-mailing your name and
affiliation by November 2, 2006 to dust@csb.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Horowitz, Ph.D, Office of
Congressional, Public, and Board Affairs, (202) 261-7613 or e-mail
dust@csb.gov. Detailed information on the meeting agenda will be posted
soon at http://www.csb.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background.
B. CSB Hazard Investigation Study.
C. Board presentation.
A. Background
In 2003 the CSB investigated 3 combustible dust explosions. A total
of 14 individuals were killed and 81 injured in these events. In
January 2003, an explosion and fire at the West Pharmaceutical Services
facility in Kinston, North Carolina resulted in the deaths of six
workers and injuries to 38 others. CSB investigated this accident and
concluded that the explosion was the result of the deflagration of
polyethylene powder that had accumulated above a suspended ceiling in
the processing area of the facility. In February 2003, a combustible
dust explosion occurred at the CTA Acoustics facility in Corbin,
Kentucky, killing 7 workers and injuring 37. CSB found that the fuel
for the explosion was phenolic resin used to produce insulation
materials for the automotive industry. The explosion began near a
curing oven, where routine cleaning lofted accumulated resin dust that
was ignited by fire in an oven on which the doors were left open.
Numerous secondary deflagrations caused damage and injuries throughout
the facility. The third incident occurred in October 2003 where one
worker was killed and six others injured by an aluminum dust explosion
at Hayes Lemmerz International in Huntington, Indiana. The occurrence
of three fatal combustible dust explosions within one calendar year
prompted the Board to commence a broader study of the extent, nature
and prevention of combustible dust fire and explosion hazards.
B. CSB Hazard Investigation Study
The objectives of CSB's dust study investigation include:
1. Determining the number and effects of combustible dust fires and
explosions in the United States during the twenty five year period
beginning in 1980. CSB is excluding the following types of incidents
for the purposes of this study:
(a) Those occurring in grain-handling or other facilities that
are currently regulated by OSHA's grain handling standard.
(b) Those occurring in coal mines or other facilities covered by
MSHA regulations. Incidents involving coal dust at power generation
plants and other facilities not covered by MSHA regulations are not
excluded.
(c) Incidents occurring in non-manufacturing facilities such as
hospitals, military installations and research institutes.
(d) Incidents involving transportation or transportation
vehicles.
(e) Incidents occurring outside the United States or U.S.
territories.
2. Evaluating the extent and effectiveness of efforts by state and
local officials to prevent combustible dust fires and explosions.
3. Evaluating the effectiveness of existing hazard communication
programs and regulations in making facility managers and workers aware
of the fire and explosion hazards of combustible dusts.
4. Determining what additional state, federal or private sector
activities may be necessary to prevent future incidents.
[[Page 63752]]
C. Board Presentation
At the public meeting CSB staff will present to the Board the
results of their investigation, including a discussion of the key
findings and draft recommendations. After the staff presentation, the
Board will allow a time for public comment. Following the conclusion of
the public comment period, the Board will consider whether to vote to
approve the final report and recommendations. When a report and its
recommendations are approved, this will begin CSB's process for
disseminating the findings and recommendations of the report not only
to the recipients of recommendations but also to other public and
industry sectors. The CSB believes that this process will ultimately
lead to the adoption of recommendations and the growing body of safety
knowledge in the industry, which, in turn, should save future lives and
property.
All staff presentations are preliminary and are intended solely to
allow the Board to consider in a public forum the issues and factors
involved in this case. No factual analyses, conclusions or
recommendations should be considered final. Only after the Board has
considered the staff presentation and approved the staff report will
there be an approved final record of this incident.
The meeting will be open to the public. Please notify CSB if a
translator or interpreter is needed, at least 5 business days prior to
the public meeting. For more information, please contact the Chemical
Safety and Hazard Investigation Board at (202) 261-7600, or visit our
Web site at: http://www.csb.gov.
Christopher W. Warner,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 06-9010 Filed 10-27-06; 1:37 pm]
BILLING CODE 6350-01-P