For more information, go to: CSB en Español

Washington, DC, March 29, 2006 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today released two Spanish language investigation digests about the CSB investigations at Sierra Chemical Company in Mustang, Nevada, and West Pharmaceutical Services in Kinston, North Carolina.

The two digests are available from the Spanish language page of the agency's web site, CSB.gov.

Investigation digests are plain-language, two-page summaries of investigation reports. They are meant to be used by chemical facilities, trade associations, labor groups, training organizations, and other interested groups, to study the pertinent safety information, lessons learned, and recommendations from an investigation. The CSB began producing investigation digests in Spanish in 2004.

CSB Chairman Carolyn Merritt said, "Many of the facilities we investigate employ large contingents of workers whose primary language is Spanish. In order to best achieve our mission of saving lives, it is vital that everyone working in the affected companies is able to read about and understand the root causes and findings in CSB investigations."

The fire and explosions at Sierra Chemical, a munitions reclamation plant, killed four workers and injured six in 1998. The majority of the workers at the plant spoke only Spanish, yet the plant's operational procedures and policies were only available in English.

A 2003 combustible dust explosion and fire at West Pharmaceutical Services claimed six lives and injured dozens of workers. Several workers at the West plant were native Spanish speakers.

All Investigation Digests are available from the Board's web site, CSB.gov. Printed copies of most digests are available in any quantity, free of charge, by contacting the CSB Office of Congressional, Public, and Board Affairs, at (202) 261-3614.

The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in safety management systems, regulations, and industry standards.

The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. Visit our website, www.csb.gov.

For more information, contact: Public Affairs Specialist Kara Wenzel 202-261-7642, cell 202-577-8448, or Director of Public Affairs Dr. Daniel Horowitz, 202-261-7613, cell 202-441-6074.