The U.S. Chemical Safety Board and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has approved a final rule on accidental release reporting. The CSB has posted a prepublication version of the final rule available at the following link: https://www.csb.gov/assets/1/6/prepublicationcopy2-3-20.pdf. The official version is expected to be published early next week in the Federal Register.

The rule requires prompt reports to the CSB from owners or operators of facilities that experience an accidental release of a regulated or extremely hazardous substance that results in a death, serious injury or substantial property damage.

“The CSB anticipates that these reports will provide the agency with key information important to the CSB in making prompt deployment decisions,” said Dr. Kristen Kulinowski, CSB Interim Executive.

Kulinowski said the many comments concerning the proposed rule submitted to the agency by organizations and individuals were important to understanding concerns and making appropriate revisions to the final rule.

“The rule is required by the CSB’s enabling legislation but was not issued during the first 20 years of CSB operations. Last year, a court ordered the CSB to finalize a rule within a year. This was a daunting task, and I want to express my appreciation to CSB staff who worked tirelessly on the effort to complete the rule on a tight schedule.
Kulinowski said the CSB will work cooperatively with various stakeholders to ensure that affected parties understand and comply with the rule.

About the CSB

The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency whose mission is to drive chemical safety change through independent investigations to protect people and the environment. The agency’s board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. 

CSB investigations looks into all aspects of chemical incidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems. For more information, contact public@csb.gov.