[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63751-63752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9010]


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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 [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Horowitz, Ph.D, Office of 
Congressional, Public, and Board Affairs, (202) 261-7613 or e-mail 
[email protected]. 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