[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 8586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4427]


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CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD


Sunshine Act Meeting

    In connection with its investigation into the cause of a fire at 
the Third Coast Industries' Friendswood facility, the United States 
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announces that it will 
convene a Public Meeting beginning at 9 am local time on March 6, at 
Crowne Plaza Medical Center, 6701 South Main, Houston, TX 77030, 
Telephone: (713) 797-1110.
    At the meeting CSB staff will present to the Board the results of 
their investigation into this incident, including an analysis of the 
incident together with a discussion of the key findings, root and 
contributing causes and draft recommendations. In addition, the Chair 
may present the Board's Strategic Plan, and action needed on selected 
recommendations from past CSB investigations.
    Recommendations are issued by a vote of the Board and address an 
identified safety deficiency uncovered during the investigation, and 
specify how to correct the situation. Safety recommendations are the 
primary tool used by the Board to motivate implementation of safety 
improvements and prevent future incidents. The CSB uses its unique 
independent accident investigation perspective to identify trends or 
issues that might otherwise be overlooked. CSB recommendations may be 
directed to corporations, trade associations, government entities, 
safety organizations, labor unions and others.
    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 findings 
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.
    In the early morning hours of May 1, 2002, a fire erupted at the 
Third Coast Industries Friendswood facility, located in an 
unincorporated area of Brazoria County, Texas. The facility blended and 
packaged motor oils, hydraulic oils, and engine and other lubricants. 
The fire quickly spread due to the facility's design and lack of fire 
control equipment. The nearest water for firefighters was more than a 
mile away. The fire consumed more than 1.2 million gallons of 
combustible and flammable liquids and destroyed the site. More than 180 
firefighters and support personnel responded, and it took 23 hours to 
bring the fire under control. Several neighboring buildings were 
destroyed, one hundred residents were evacuated and a local school was 
closed for a day. No employees or firefighters were injured during the 
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. 03-4427 Filed 2-20-03; 3:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 6350-01-P