CSB not doing enough to implement recommendations, OIG says

Washington – The Chemical Safety Board failed to meet its goals and standards for implementing safety recommendations, according to a new report (.pdf file) from the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General.

One of the goals in CSB’s current strategic plan (.pdf file) is to ensure timely implementation of its recommendations to Congress, government agencies, employers and other groups. As of December 2010, 218 of CSB’s 588 safety recommendations "were open while actions were in progress to resolve them," the Aug. 22 report stated. Of those, almost one-quarter had been open for more than five years.

OIG noted that CSB does not have enforcement authority, and regulatory recommendations may involve a long process. Still, CSB “has not established or maintained sufficient internal controls and processes for safety recommendations,” the report stated.

OIG advised CSB to update board orders establishing policies for the Recommendation Program, make full use of its information management system and develop an advocacy program for recommendation implementation.

CSB agreed with most of OIG's recommendations.