Catherine Sandoval was tenured professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

February 3, 2023

2 Min Read
Chemical Safety Board Adds New Member

Law professor Catherine Sandoval has been sworn in as the third member of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).

The CSB now has three members again for the first time since July 2022. Sandoval was nominated to the board by President Joe Biden in June 2022, when the board had three members. However, then-CSB chair resigned shortly thereafter, leaving the CSB with just two Board members, Sylvia Johnson and Steve Owens, both of whom joined the agency in February 2022. Sandoval was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2022.

Although the board is supposed to have five members by law, the agency has not had a full Board since 2011.

“We are delighted to have Cathy Sandoval join us on the CSB Board, and we are looking forward to working closely with her to continue to rebuild and revitalize the CSB and protect communities, workers and the environment from chemical disasters,” said Owens.   

Sandoval was as a tenured professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law in California before joining the CSB, and she has extensive experience in both government and the private sector. 

“The CSB has an ambitious report release schedule this year," said Johnson. "We are pleased to have Cathy Sandoval on board and ready to help the CSB meet our goals and objectives.”

“I am thrilled to begin my term as CSB board member," said Sandoval. "I look forward to working with my fellow board members to continue to reduce the backlog in investigation reports and help increase safety at chemical facilities throughout this country.”

The CSB’s core mission activities include conducting incident investigations; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.

The agency's board members are appointed by the president subject to Senate confirmation. The board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.

About the Author(s)

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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