Key Agency to Miss Next Round of Tests

Houston Chronicle ^ | Thursday, April 21, 2011 | Jennifer A. Dlouhy

[Rabin]

Testing is set to resume next week on the blowout preventer that failed to stop gushing oil at BP's Macondo well, but an independent federal agency that has been probing the disaster will not be permitted to participate.

Under a federal judge's ruling, the only witnesses allowed during the examination at a NASA facility in New Orleans will be representatives of the Justice Department, oil spill victims in a broad class-action lawsuit and three companies linked to the disaster. That shuts the door to the Chemical Safety Board… CSB has investigated more than 50 industrial accidents in its two-decade history -- including the lethal 2005 explosion at BP's Texas City refinery –

[Rabin]

In Rabin's humble opinion CSB is a dedicated band of highly competent individuals. Well qualified in every way to lead a productive incident investigation with no holds barred and no strings attached.

"Anatomy of a Disaster" is an excellent production, typical of the CAB's thorough and evenhanded approach.

Well worth the watch. http://76.227.217.14/videoroom/detail.aspx?VID=16

[Ready4Freddy]

CSB has investigated more than 50 industrial accidents in its two-decade history

Not particularly impressive. Do they have any actual experience with blowout preventers?

[Talisker]

In Rabin's humble opinion CSB is a dedicated band of highly competent individuals. Well qualified in every way to lead a productive incident investigation with no holds barred and no strings attached.

That's why they're being excluded.

The gubmint don't want another Feynman problem:

Feynman's Appendix to the Rogers Commission Report on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

[chemengineer42]

in my humble opinion i agree they are first class and should be there to witness the tests

[sarasmom]

“Under a federal judge's ruling, the only witnesses allowed during the examination at a NASA facility in New Orleans will be representatives of the Justice Department, oil spill victims in a broad class-action lawsuit and three companies linked to the disaster”

Ok, I need a little help understanding the above paragraph.
I am not a participant in any lawsuit involving the oil rig explosion.
This rig explosion directly impacted several states, and several foreign nations with coastlines on the Gulf of Mexico.
It was an incident/disaster that potentially impacts multiple nations.
Shouldn't as many scientists and engineers as possible, both foreign and domestic, have access to every aspect of this “examination” ?

[Rabin]

sar, “Shouldn’t as many scientists and engineers as possible, both foreign and domestic, have access to every aspect of this “examination” ?

Yes for sure. CSB is an out-fit that filters and organizes information on violent industrial events in an effort to prevent.

rabin

[sarasmom]

Any update on this topic?