In its released budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, the Trump administration plans to zero out funding for the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (commonly abbreviated as CSB). The CSB investigates accidents and injuries involving chemical spills, leaks, explosions, and other incidents across a range of industries and other groups. The chemical board does not have the power to fine or otherwise penalize companies, and its main role involves investigating the root causes of accidents and recommending improvements to avoid future occurrences. The budget proposal stated that the CSB's work was unnecessarily duplicative of that of other agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
In the event of a workplace accident involving a chemical incident, the CSB's investigation often happens in parallel to a review by OSHA. However, unlike many OSHA investigations, the CSB's review and input are often welcomed by employers trying to determine the cause of the incident. If it is eliminated, companies may need to devote more of their own resources to discovering and rectifying the factors that led to the accident.
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