US Chemical Safety Board appoints new Chairperson and CEO
The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has appointed Dr. Katherine Lemos as its new Chairperson and CEO. Dr. Lemos takes over from Interim Executive Dr. Kristen Kulinowski.
Dr. Lemos comes to the CSB after a long career in safety, having worked as a safety leader across stakeholder communities, permitting an enterprise level understanding of safety. As an academic, she studied new technology and decision-making in high-risk and complex environments, and taught on the topics of accident investigation, human factors engineering and safety management systems.
As a career government employee for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Dr. Lemos first served as an accident investigator on the front lines of aviation safety before serving as Special Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Board, supporting review and critical decisions on investigations and recommendations across transportation modes. As a career government employee for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Dr. Lemos also served as the regulator in analysing, developing, and implementing policy, as well as monitoring the outcomes.
In a statement, Dr. Lemos said: “As Chairperson of the US Chemical Safety Board, I will lead the agency by example and hold myself and each employee accountable to the American public in delivering objective, thorough, and timely investigative reports and recommendations that will improve the operation of the chemical industry.
“Over the next five years, I look forward to working with a diverse, skilled and motivated team of investigators, legal experts, public and government affairs specialists, and business staff to advance safety across the chemical industry.
“The mission of the CSB is to ‘drive chemical safety change through independent investigation to protect people and the environment.’ As I begin my term, this mission is more important than ever. Our nation faces unprecedented social and economic challenges as we respond to the outbreak of Covid-19.
“As many Americans are staying home, our country’s chemical industry workers are still supporting the continued operations of plants, refineries, oil rigs, and other workplaces that are essential to keep the nation running. At this critical moment, it is vital to ensure their safety, and to protect the safety and health of our country’s entire chemical industry, and the important role it plays in our economy. Maintaining integrity in our chemical production, process, handling, and storage is fundamental to the well-being of our nation.
“With a small but dedicated staff, I am certain we will continue to do the great work that we are known for, even at this challenging moment for our nation. I am proud to lead the CSB and move the agency forward during this crucial time.”
Read Dr.Lemos’s statement in full here: https://www.csb.gov/statement-from-dr-katherine-lemos-chairperson-and-ceo-of-the-us-chemical-safety-board/
