Learn the Issues
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Redoing calculations if RMP*Comp is updated
Will RMP*Comp be updated? If so, would I have to redo calculations I might already have made with an earlier version? No, you do not have to redo your work if you have already completed your consequence analyses. RMP*Comp is based on the EPA's Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance (OCA Guidance)…
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What does "control of the same person" mean?
Control of the same person refers to corporate control, not site management. If two divisions of a corporation operate at the same site, even if each operation is managed separately, they will count as one source provided the other criteria are met because they are under control of the same…
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What is the definition of "offsite property damage?"
I am working on the five-year accident history portion of the hazard assessment under the RMP. Section 68.42(a) tells me to include "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 damage…
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Worst-case release scenarios with gases liquified by refrigeration
When evaluating the worst-case release scenario for spills of liquid toxic substances, the owner or operator should assume that the maximum quantity within the vessel or pipe was released instantaneously to form a liquid pool (40 CFR §68.25(d)(1)). For regulated toxic substances that are normally gases at ambient temperature, the…
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Worst-case release from smaller process with larger distance to endpoint
The owner or operator of a stationary source covered by the risk management program regulations must conduct a worst-case release scenario analysis as part of the required hazard assessment (40 CFR §68.25). The worst-case release is defined as the release of the largest quantity of a regulated substance from a…
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Underground storage tank off-site impacts to groundwater, drinking water, or soil
For the worst-case and alternative release scenarios of an underground storage tank, should I consider any impact on groundwater, drinking water, or soil? No. As part of the worst-case and alternative release scenarios, you need to define the offsite impacts to the environment (40 CFR §68.33) by listing the environmental…
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RMP*Comp and emergency response
Can I use RMP*Comp for emergency response? No. It's a planning tool. Many other tools are available for response, including ALOHA. You can learn more by reading CAMEO tools for RMP.
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How did EPA select the list of regulated substances?
The list of regulated substances under the chemical accident prevention provisions is found in 40 CFR Part 68. How did EPA select the substances to be included in this list? The chemical accident prevention provisions promulgated pursuant to Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) are designed to focus…
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What is the content of Part 68, Subpart F and when was it promulgated?
The regulatory text of the June 20, 1996, Risk Management Program Rule ( 61 FR 31668) does not include Subpart F. What is the content of Subpart F and when was it promulgated? Subpart F of 40 CFR Part 68 consists of the regulations concerning the list of regulated substances…
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What if the quantity in the process fluctuates?
What if the quantity in the process fluctuates? I may not have a threshold quantity now, but I will intermittently exceed the threshold quantity. You do not need to comply with the rule and file an RMP unless you have more than threshold quantity in a process; however, once you…
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Why are industries exempt under OSHA's PSM subject to RMP?
The Program 3 prevention program requirements under 40 CFR Part 68 are almost identical to the requirements of OSHA's process safety management (PSM) standard. OSHA exempts certain industries from the PSM standard. Why does EPA not exempt those same industries from the CAA §112(r) risk management program requirements? EPA and…
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Accidental releases from non-covered processes
Should the owner or operator include accidental releases from processes containing listed substances below the threshold quantity in the five-year accident history required under the hazard assessment provisions of 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, and in the incident investigation requirements under 40 CFR Part 68, Subparts C and D…
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Differences in accident history between Program 1 eligibility and the hazard assessment
Program 1 eligibility under 40 CFR §68.10(b) is contingent upon the process not having had an accidental release of a regulated substance that led to offsite death, injury, or response and restoration activities at an environmental receptor within five years prior to the risk management plan submission. Additionally, as part…
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Definition and data sources of "environmental receptor"
The Risk Management Program rule requires owners or operators of covered processes to define in the risk management plan (RMP) the potential offsite public and environmental receptors within the impact range of identified worst case and alternative release scenarios. What is the definition of "environmental receptor"? What data sources are…
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Administrative controls considered when determining worst-case release quantity
For the purpose of analyzing the worst-case release scenario required as part of the hazard assessment at 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, the worst-case release quantity is identified as the greatest amount held in a single vessel or pipe, taking into account administrative controls that limit the maximum quantity…
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How are thresholds for regulated toxic substances in mixtures determined?
Formaldehyde is listed as a regulated substance under 40 CFR 68.130 with the qualifier "(solution)." When determining whether a threshold amount of this substance exists in a process, should a person consider the weight of the entire solution, or simply the amount of formaldehyde in the solution? How are thresholds…
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Program 1 Five-year Accident History and Hazard Assessment Differences
Pursuant to the risk management program regulations under 40 CFR §68.10(b), Program 1 eligibility requires that the process has not had an accidental release of a regulated substance that led to off-site death, injury, or response and restoration activities at an environmental receptor within five years prior to the risk…
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Are Mechanical Controls Considered Administrative Controls?
For the purpose of analyzing the worst-case release scenario required as part of the hazard assessment at 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, the worst-case release quantity is identified as the greatest amount held in a single vessel or pipe, taking into account administrative controls that limit the maximum quantity…
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Worst-case Release Scenario for Separate, Interconnected Vessels
Pursuant to the risk management program regulations, facilities must perform an offsite consequence analysis for the worst-case release scenario. Do the quantities of two separate vessels that are interconnected with a closed valve need to be aggregated for the worst-case release scenario analysis? No. Worst-case release is defined as the…
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Five-Year Accident History for Non-Gas Releases
Pursuant to 40 CFR §68.42(a), the owner or operator of a stationary source subject to the risk management program regulations must document significant accidental releases of regulated substances from a covered process in the five years prior to the submission of an initial or updated risk management plan (RMP). For…