EPA's New Rule Boosts Safety at 11,740 Facilities Handling Hazardous Substances
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule, updating the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements and Risk Management Program under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act (RMP). The new rule, effective March 1, 2024, aims to enhance safety at the 11,740 registered facilities, including chemical plants and sites handling hazardous substances, by reducing accident frequency and severity.
The EPA has introduced several measures to achieve this goal. Firstly, it requires increased engagement with employees through training opportunities and the implementation of community notification systems. This ensures that employees are better equipped to handle potential hazards, and the local community is kept informed.
Secondly, the rule revises chemical process safety, mandating regulated facilities to perform a safer technologies and alternatives analysis. This involves considering the potential impacts of climate change and other factors in creating risk management plans. Additionally, facilities must provide more detailed information to the surrounding community.
The EPA has also made changes to the 48-hour presumption for full RMP plans, reverting to the existing guidance that storage of chemicals begins the moment they are disconnected from the motive power that brought them to a facility. Furthermore, the rule requires third-party compliance audits and root cause analysis incident investigation for facilities that have had a prior accident. This will help identify and address the root causes of accidents, preventing future incidents.
The new EPA rule is set to generate renewed interest from both the public and industry, potentially due to conflicts with other federal rules. The 11,740 registered RMP facilities will need to comply with the updated regulations, which aim to improve safety and reduce accidents. The EPA's focus on employee engagement, community notification, and thorough risk management plans is expected to have a significant impact on the industry.
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