[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 42 (Monday, March 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 9726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1010]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD


Sunshine Act Meeting

    In connection with its investigation into the cause of an explosion 
and fire which occurred at BP's Texas City refinery on March 23, 2005, 
the United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) 
announces that it will convene a public meeting on March 20, 2007 
starting at 6 p.m. at The Nessler Center, Wings of Heritage Room, 2010 
5th Avenue North, Texas City, Texas 77590. At the meeting, CSB staff 
will present to the Board the results of their investigation into this 
incident. There will be a public comment period after the 
investigators' presentation.
    At approximately 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23rd, a series of 
explosions occurred at the BP Texas City refinery during the restarting 
of an isomerization unit processing flammable hydrocarbons. Fifteen 
workers were killed and about 180 others were injured. Many of the 
victims were in or around work trailers located near a blowdown drum 
and stack that were open to the atmosphere. The explosions occurred 
when a distillation tower flooded with hydrocarbons and was over 
pressurized, resulting in a release of flammable hydrocarbons from the 
blowdown stack and a subsequent vapor cloud explosion. After the staff 
presentation, the Board will allow time for public comment. Following 
the conclusion of the public comment period, the Board will consider 
whether the preliminary facts presented necessitate any recommendations 
prior to the final completion of the Board's investigative report.
    At the meeting, CSB staff will present the Board with the results 
of their investigation into this incident, including a discussion of 
key findings, root and contributing causes, and proposed 
recommendations. The CSB staff presentation will focus on four key 
safety issues: safety culture, regulatory oversight, process safety 
metrics, and human factors.
    After the staff presentation, the Board will ask for public 
comments. Following the conclusion of the public comment period, the 
Board will consider whether to approve the final report and 
recommendations. All staff presentations are preliminary and are solely 
intended to allow the Board to consider in a public forum the issues 
and factors involved in this case. No factual analyses, conclusions or 
findings of the staff 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 investigation.
    The meeting will be open to the public, and there is no fee or pre-
registration required. 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. 07-1010 Filed 3-1-07; 2:10 pm]
BILLING CODE 6350-01-P