Attention to CSB management challenges could result in stronger results and protection for the public, and increased confidence in management integrity and accountability. Based on our continuous audit work, CSB public hearings, congressional hearings and CSB board meetings, EPA’s IG identified three (3) management challenges and one internal control weakness related to operational controls. The newly confirmed Chairperson has implemented initiatives to improve employee morale by creating an environment to encourage open communication.
CSB Should Continue to Address Employee Morale
CSB’s management must continue to address its employee morale to improve accomplishment of its investigative mission. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing on CSB in June 2014 and found “…a toxic work environment” at CSB, “… retaliation against whistleblowers,” and the former Chairperson’s “…disregard for proper board governance.” The newly confirmed Chairperson has implemented initiatives to improve employee morale by creating an environment to encourage open communication.
CSB Should Increase Its Investigations and Improve Investigative Management Controls
CSB is not investigating all accidents that fall within its legal jurisdiction, and should increase the number of investigations it conducts. CSB has a “gap” between the number of accidents that it investigates and the number of accidents that fall under its statutory responsibility to investigate. Also, CSB needs to improve controls over investigations that it does conduct.
CSB Should Establish a Chemical Reporting Regulation
CSB has not published a chemical incident reporting regulation as required in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
We also note an internal control weakness that CSB should address regarding purchase cards and program operations.
Due to corrective actions were taken by CSB, we removed two issues cited in our fiscal year 2015 report. The two issues removed were on the Information Security Program and Electronic Records Management.
CSB is concentrating efforts on improving the management challenge on employee morale and has identified actions taken to address the management challenges and the internal control weakness.
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