Washington, DC, November 22, 2004 - In floor action Saturday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Gary L. Visscher to a five-year term as a board member of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). Mr. Visscher has been serving with the Board since August as a recess, or temporary, appointee.

Board Chairman Carolyn W. Merritt said, "Mr. Visscher has already established himself as a valued member of our team over the last few months, and we are delighted with the Senate's action."

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.

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. Further information about the CSB is available from www.csb.gov.

For more information, contact Daniel Horowitz at (202) 261-7613.