Learn the Issues
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Program level 1 eligibility and accident history
A process with more than a threshold quantity of a regulated substance had an accident with off-site consequences three years ago. After the accident, we altered the process to reduce the quantity stored on site, although the quantity still exceeds the threshold quantity. Now the worst case release scenario indicates…
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Program level 3 applicability and whether states have delegated OSHA programs
I am a publicly owned facility in a state with a delegated OSHA program. Why are my processes considered to be in Program 3 when the same processes in a state where federal OSHA runs the program are in Program 2? Federal OSHA cannot impose its rules on state or…
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When were RMPs initially required to be submitted?
When must the risk management plans (RMPs) required under 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart G, initially be submitted? For chemicals currently listed as regulated substances at 40 CFR §68.130, compliance with the risk management program requirements (including submission of RMPs) is required by June 21, 1999, or the date on…
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After a reportable accident, do I have to revise my RMP?
I recently submitted my five-year RMP update required by section 68.190 (b)(1) and included my accident history for the previous five years. Two months later, we had another reportable accident. Do I have to do anything to revise my RMP? Yes. You must revise your accident history within six months…
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Change of owner and RMP facility ID number
If a facility is sold to a new owner, does it keep its' original RMP Facility ID number? Yes. The facility will keep the ID number assigned by EPA.
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Submitting a partial RMP
Can a facility submit a partial risk management plan (RMP) (e.g., using the predictive filing option) and then update the plan when all elements of the RMP can be implemented? No. Facilities should not attempt to submit partial risk management plans (the RMP*eSubmit software will not allow incomplete RMPs to…
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Do I have to report accidents that resulted in medical treatment?
I had a release where several people were treated at the hospital and released; they attributed their symptoms to exposure. We do not believe that their symptoms were in fact the result of exposure to the released substance. Do we have to report these as offsite impacts? Yes, you should…
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Are releases under prior ownership included in the five-year accident history?
Documentation of a five-year accident history is required as part of the hazard assessment under 40 CFR Section 68.42. Should a stationary source subject to the risk management program regulations report as part of the five-year accident history any accidents that occurred when the facility was under prior ownership? Yes…
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When part of a site is sold, what facility ID number is used?
If a site is divided up as part of a sale and part of the site is kept by the original owner and the remainder is sold or leased, what facility ID is used? The section of the site that is retained by the original owner will keep the original…
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Do I have to include on-site incidents in my accident history?
If I have a large on-site incident, but no offsite impact, would I have to report it in the five-year accident history? It would depend on whether you have onsite deaths, injuries, or significant property damage. You could have a large accident without any of these consequences (e.g., a large…
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Do I need to report releases for processes that have shut down?
A process involving a regulated substance had an accidental release with off-site consequences two years ago. The process has been shut down. Do I have to report anyway? No. The release does not have to be reported in your accident history. Your Risk Management Plan only needs to address operating…
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What constitutes "significant property damage on site?"
Under the hazard assessment requirements at 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, the owner or operator of a covered stationary source must document a five-year accident history that includes all accidental releases from covered processes that resulted in deaths, injuries, or significant property damage on site, or known offsite deaths…
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Process that meets Program 1 requirements and Program 3 applicability
Program 3 applies to processes in certain NAICS codes as well as any process subject to the OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, unless the process is eligible for Program 1. If a process meets the requirements of Program 1, but is also in NAICS code 32211 (one of those…
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What is the definition of injury?
Under the hazard assessment requirements of 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, an owner or operator must document a five-year accident history including all accidental releases from covered processes that resulted in deaths, injuries, or significant property damage on site, or known offsite deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property…
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What level of off-site property damage triggers five-year accident history reporting?
What level of off-site property damage triggers reporting? Any level of known offsite property damage triggers inclusion of the accident in the five-year accident history. You are not required to conduct a survey to determine if such damage occurred, but if you know, or could reasonably be expected to know…
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Active mitigation systems (e.g., scrubbers) and alternative release scenarios
I run a wastewater treatment plant that is subject to the risk management program regulations in 40 CFR Part 68 for a covered process containing chlorine. A chlorine scrubber system at the plant is designed to prevent any possible releases from reaching a toxic endpoint offsite. How does this active…
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Are barracks and family housing units on military bases considered public receptors?
Barracks are not considered public receptors, family housing units are. Public receptors include any "offsite residences ... inhabited or occupied by the public at any time without restriction by the stationary source where members of the public could be exposed to toxic concentrations, radiant heat, or overpressure, as a result…
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Air dispersion models and accounting for multiple vessels
Must air dispersion models that are used to analyze worst-case release scenarios under 40 CFR §68.25 be able to account for multiple vessels and how those vessels could impact one another in the event of an accidental release? No. Models used for worst-case release scenario analysis do not need to…
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Are roads considered public receptors?
A process covered under 40 CFR Part 68 is eligible for Program 1 requirements if it meets all of the criteria listed at 40 CFR §68.10(b). One of those criteria is that the distance to a toxic or flammable endpoint for a worst-case release assessment is less than the distance…
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Are wetlands included in the definition of "environmental receptors"?
No. EPA has defined environmental receptors as natural or state parks, forests, or monuments; officially designated wildlife sanctuaries, preserves, refuges, or areas; and Federal wilderness areas, that are easily identified on local U.S. Geological survey maps (40 CFR §68.3). Therefore, wetlands would not be reported in the hazard assessment under…