[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70487-70488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31330]


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CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD


Sunshine Act Meeting

    In connection with its investigation into the cause of a deadly 
explosion and the leakage of 26,000 pounds of aqua ammonia into the 
atmosphere from the DD Williamson & Co., Inc. plant in Louisville, 
Kentucky on April 11, 2003, the United States Chemical Safety and 
Hazard Investigation Board announces that it will convene a public 
meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. local time on January 14, 2004, at the 
Galt House, 140 North Fourth Street, Louisville, KY, 40202--telephone: 
(502) 568-5200.
    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. The CSB staff 
presentation will focus on three key safety issues: overpressure 
protection, hazard evaluation systems, and engineering at small 
facilities.
    This incident occurred at 2:10 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2003, when 
a vessel explosion at the DD Williamson plant killed an operator and 
caused extensive damage to the western end of the facility. As a 
consequence of the explosion, 26,000 pounds of aqua ammonia (29.4% 
ammonia solution in water) leaked into the atmosphere, forcing the 
evacuation of 26 residents. The DD Williamson plant employs 
approximately 45 people and is located in a mixed industrial and 
residential neighborhood approximately 1.5 miles east of downtown 
Louisville.
    Recommendations proposed in the investigative report are issued by 
a vote of the Board and address identified safety deficiencies 
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.
    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.
    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

[[Page 70488]]

Investigation Board at (202) 261-7600, or visit our Web site at: 
www.csb.gov.

Christopher W. Warner,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 03-31330 Filed 12-16-03; 12:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 6350-01-P