A working group of federal agencies has issued a fact sheet*on progress made to improve the safety and security of chemical facilities in the United States.
The fact sheet updates last year’s report by the working group that was formed as a result of President Obama’s Executive Order 13650. The Executive Order directed six government agencies to coordinate their efforts to prevent chemical plant disasters such as the April 17, 2013, West Fertilizer Co. explosion in Texas that killed 15 people and injured 160 others.
Hosted a public webinar attended by more than 600 participants, including representatives from Congress, GAO, and the media
- Developing an on-line training module on the key requirements under Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
- Identifying government approved training courses for first responders and emergency planners, found in the Training Repository
- Institutionalizing a Federal Working Group to improve communication and coordination between agencies
- Establishing Regional Working Groups in all ten Federal Regions
- Incorporating chemical facility safety and security data into the EPA’s facility registry service
- Reissuing the Chemical Advisory: Safe Storage, Handling, and management of Ammonium Nitrate to incorporate stakeholder comments and concerns and the latest practices in ammonium nitrate safety
- Launching actions to modernize OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard and EPA’s Risk Management Program
More information is available on OSHA’s website.
OSHA STEPS Alliance Issues Alert on Protecting Workers from Storage Tank Gauging Operation Hazards
The National STEPS network, an OSHA Alliance partner, has issued a hazard alert* to better protect workers conducting storage tank gauging, sampling and fluid transfer activities at oil and well sites. The alert was developed through OSHA’s alliance with the National Service Transmission, Exploration and Production Safety Network and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The alert describes potential hazards and effects of exposure to hydrocarbon gases when storage tank hatches are opened. It outlines what employers must do to protect workers, including conducting exposure and hazard assessments, establishing safety procedures, and providing training. The hazard alert also outlines steps that workers can take to stay safe on the job, including wearing personal protective equipment, immediately reporting suspected health symptoms, and following their employer’s safe work practices.
For more information, visit OSHA’s Oil and Gas Extraction Safety and Health Topics page.
For more information or assistance with your Environmental and Health & Safety regulatory compliance needs, contact Ralph Carito at Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) at rcarito@TotalEnviron.com or 908-442-8599.