[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39842-39843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17099]



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CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD




Draft Investigation Report--DuPont Belle; Public Comment 

Requested



    In connection with its investigation into three incidents that 

occurred at the DuPont plant in Belle, West Virginia, within a 48 hour 

period on January 22 and 23, 2010, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) 

announces that it is seeking public review and comment on its draft 

investigation report on these incidents. The draft report will be 

posted on the CSB Web site on July 7, 2011, and will be available for 

review and comment until 5 p.m. on August 22, 2011. Comments should 

preferably be sent by e-mail to [email protected] following the 

directions for submitting comments provided on the CSB Web site (http://www.csb.gov.). Comments may also be sent to CSB Headquarters (see 

address and name below). All comments received are considered public 

documents and will be available for public review either at CSB 

Headquarters or by following directions posted on the CSB Web site.

    By Notation Item 862, the Board unanimously voted to: (a) 

Publish the draft report on the DuPont-Belle incidents on the CSB's Web 

site (clearly marked as ``Staff draft for public comment'' and 

``Subject to change, approval, or disapproval by the Board'') and 

publicize its availability; (b) provide a period of forty-five (45) 

calendar days to receive public comment in response to the draft 

investigation report; and (c) consider all comments received prior to 

approval and publication of the final investigation report on the 

DuPont-Belle incidents.

    The three separate incidents at the DuPont plant involved releases 

of methyl chloride, oleum, and phosgene, and all three triggered 

notification of outside emergency response agencies. The incident 

involving the release of phosgene gas led to the fatal exposure of a 

worker performing routine duties in an area where phosgene cylinders 

were stored and used. Key issues involved in the three investigations 

include safe process design, mechanical integrity, alarm management, 

operating



[[Page 39843]]



procedures, and company emergency response and notification procedures.

    Following the close of the public comment period, the draft report 

may be modified based on comments received and other staff 

investigative activities. A final report will then be presented to the 

Board for its consideration and final vote. Only after the report is 

approved by the Board will the investigation into the three incidents 

at the DuPont facility be considered closed.

    Address to submit written comments: If the submittal of comments by 

e-mail is not feasible for any reason, written comments may also be 

provided to the CSB by mail to: Ms. Amy McCormick, Board Affairs 

Specialist, DuPont Draft Investigation Report Comments, U.S. Chemical 

Safety Board, 2175 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.

    Copies of the comments and the draft report will be available for 

review at CSB Headquarters and on the CSB Web site. To answer any 

question regarding the submission of comments or to establish times to 

review these documents at CSB Headquarters, please call Amy McCormick, 

Board Affairs Specialist, at (202) 261-7630.



Daniel M. Horowitz,

Managing Director.

[FR Doc. 2011-17099 Filed 7-6-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6350-01-P