Which of the following activities is not in the charter of the Chemical Safety Board?

• A. Issue citations and penalties
• B. Issue safety recommendations
• C. Investigate significant incidents
• D. Review chemical plant safety programs

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is the difference between investigation/advisory authority and enforcement power. The Chemical Safety Board is an independent federal agency whose role is to investigate significant chemical incidents and to issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing recurrence. It does not have the authority to issue citations or penalties; those enforcement powers belong to other agencies, such as OSHA or environmental authorities.

So, what the CSB does align with is investigating significant incidents and producing safety recommendations to improve safety practices and prevent future accidents. The activity of reviewing chemical plant safety programs can occur in the course of its investigations and in forming recommendations, but it is not about enforcing rules. The essential point is that issuing citations and penalties is outside the CSB’s charter.