CSB Releases Updated Accidental Release Data for Q1 of Fiscal Year 2023

REM has updated its interactive map using the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s (CSB’s) updated database of accidental release incidents reported through Q1 of Fiscal Year 2023 (October – December 2022).

This is the second release of data for chemical incidents reported under the CSB’s “Accidental Release Reporting Rule”. The newly released data shows a significant uptick in reportable events during the quarter, as well as an extremely high number of serious events during the end of December which coincides with cold temperatures across the U.S. From October 1, 2022, through December 26, 2022, 36 events were reported to the CSB, 8 of which occurred the Christmas holiday weekend. This is more than double the number of events for the first three months of the previous two fiscal years – October-December of 2021 (16 events) and 2020 (14 events).  Reportable events involve an accidental chemical release resulting in a fatality, serious injury, and/or substantial property damage.

The CSB’s Accidental Release Database includes all accidental release incidents reported since March 23, 2020, the effective date of the Accidental Release Reporting regulation. The first event was reported under this rule on April 10, 2020, with a total of 224 events resulting in one or more of the three negative consequences reported through December 26th, 2022. Of the 224 events reported, 31 resulted in fatalities, 126 involved serious injuries (requiring inpatient hospitalization), and 101 caused substantial property damage.

Rixio Medina, R.E.M Founding Member Emeritus and former member of the CSB, believes that the prompt reporting of accidental releases of regulated or extremely hazardous substances that cause fatalities, hospitalizations or substantial property manage, helps the CSB fulfill its mission of conducting prioritized root cause independent investigations of chemical accidents at fixed industrial facilities to recommend effective preventive measures to protect people and the environment.

The database is revised quarterly and may include revisions or corrections to events previously reported and events that were not timely reported to the CSB in accordance with the regulation.

REM’s interactive map of the incidents can be viewed here.

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