The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (the Board) is a new, independent, non-regulatory scientific agency. The mission of the Board is to enhance the health and safety of workers and the public, and to protect the environment by uncovering the underlying causes of accidental chemical releases and using these findings and supporting research to promote preventive actions by both the private and public sectors. The mission of the Office of Investigations and Safety Programs is to conduct state-of-the-art investigations of carefully selected major incidents involving the accidental release of hazardous materials; produce high-quality, easy-to-read, and timely investigations reports that identify the root and contributing causes of these incidents; conduct hazard, safety and data studies designed to complement the Board's investigation report and recommendation activities; develop and recommend to Board members well-reasoned and precisely targeted recommendations; and, conduct effective safety advocacy activities for these recommendations.