Paul L. Stancil brings more than 47 years of experience in hazardous materials investigations and environmental law enforcement to HazMat Safety Consulting. A nationally recognized authority in dangerous goods incident investigations, Paul has dedicated his career to advancing transportation safety, regulatory accountability, and industry best practices across all modes of transport.
Most recently, Paul served as a Senior Hazardous Materials Accident Investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In this capacity, he led complex investigations involving hazardous materials releases and transportation incidents, frequently serving as the technical lead for nationally significant events. His work contributed directly to safety recommendations, regulatory reform, and strengthened operational standards throughout the dangerous goods community.
Among his notable contributions, Paul led the hazardous materials phase of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment investigation—from initial on-site response through authorship of the final report and service as technical panel lead during the NTSB investigative hearing. He also drafted the NTSB’s response to HM-265A Hazardous Materials Modernizing Regulations, helping shape national discussions on tank car safety, emergency response protocols, and inspector training. In addition, he authored and presented research, including “Rail Tank Car Safety Ten Years after Lac-Mégantic,” contributing to ongoing dialogue within regulatory and industry forums.
Prior to his tenure at the NTSB, Paul served as Chief Investigator for the Environmental Crimes Unit within the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, overseeing enforcement actions related to environmental violations and hazardous materials incidents.
At HazMat Safety Consulting, Paul leverages decades of investigative leadership to help organizations strengthen compliance programs, prepare for regulatory scrutiny, and proactively manage risk. His practical insight into how incidents are analyzed and how regulations evolve provides clients with strategic guidance grounded in real-world enforcement and investigative experience.
