Learn the Issues
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Applicability of prevention program for complex processes
My process is a series of storage and process vessels, connected by piping, containing several regulated substances, with a few co-located tanks of other substances. Do I have to implement one prevention program to cover all aspects of the process even if different operators, different process chemistry, and different hazards…
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Applicability of compliance audit provisions to non-prevention program elements
I have a Program 2 covered process and a Program 3 covered process at my stationary source. I am required (by 40 CFR Section 68.58 and 40 CFR Section 68.79) to certify compliance with prevention program requirements every three years. These compliance audits specifically address the prevention program portions of…
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Does a five-year update satisfy the requirement to conduct a compliance audit?
The owner or operator of a stationary source with a Program 2 or Program 3 process must conduct a compliance audit at least every three years to ensure compliance with the prevention program requirements and must revise and update the risk management plan (RMP) at least every five years (§§68.58…
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What constitutes a revision of the PHA?
The rule states that I have to update my RMP whenever I revise a PHA. What constitutes a revised PHA? Every time I go through management of change procedures I make a notation in the PHA file for the process, but would that constitute a revised PHA if the change…
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Do Program 1 processes have to complete a process hazard analysis?
Do owners or operators of Program 1 processes have to complete a process hazard analysis? No. The Program 1 requirements do not include a process hazard analysis (40 CFR §68.12(b)). Program 3 processes require completion of a process hazard analysis (40 CFR §68.12(d)(3)) while Program 2 processes must complete a…
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Does an owner or operator of a facility with a Program 3 process need to maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) under the risk management program regulations?
An owner or operator of a facility with a Program 3 process must compile information pertaining to the hazards of the regulated substances in the process, including toxicity information; permissible exposure limits; physical data; reactivity data; corrosivity data; thermal and chemical stability data; and hazardous effects of inadvertent mixing of…
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Is a hazard review synonymous with a process hazard analysis (PHA)?
The prevention program requirements under 40 CFR Part 68, Subparts C and D, include hazard reviews and process hazard analyses. Is a hazard review synonymous with a process hazard analysis (PHA)? No. A hazard review is different from a PHA. A hazard review is part of the Program 2 prevention…
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Maintenance requirements for leased tanks
I use propane as a raw material in my manufacturing process. I lease the tank from the propane supplier. The supplier does all the maintenance. My staff never work on the equipment. What should I do? As part of your contract with the supplier, it would be helpful to gain…
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Program Level 2 and 3 compliance audits
Facilities with Program Level 2 and 3 processes must perform compliance audits at least once every three years (40 CFR §§68.58 and 68.79). How does a facility submit its compliance audit to EPA? Facilities are not required to submit three year compliance audits to EPA; however, facilities should maintain records…
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RMP Program Level 2 and 3 compliance audit frequency
Pursuant to the risk management program regulations, facilities with Program Level 2 and 3 processes must perform compliance audits at least once every three years (40 CFR §§68.58 and 68.79). Do regulated facilities have to perform the audits within exactly three years or can facilities perform the audits any time…
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Do compliance audits cover non-prevention program requirements?
Does the compliance audit requirement cover all of the Part 68 requirements or just the prevention program requirements? The compliance audit requirement applies only to the prevention programs under Subpart C. If you have a Program 2 process, you must certify that you have evaluated compliance with the Program 2…
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Applicability of compliance audit provisions to emergency response programs
I have a Program 2 covered process and a Program 3 covered process at my stationary source, and I am required to conduct compliance audits certifying that I have evaluated compliance with my prevention program requirements at least every three years (40 CFR Sections 68.58 and 68.79). Do these provisions…
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Breaking a process into separate units to comply with prevention program requirements
Do I have to do my hazard review, process hazard analysis, or other prevention activity on the whole process or can I break it into separate units? Once you have determined that you have a covered process, you can divide the covered process any way you want to implement the…
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Why do the risk management program regulations only apply to stationary sources?
Why have transportation activities been exempted from compliance with the risk management program regulations at 40 CFR Part 68? Why do these regulations apply only to stationary sources? While EPA agrees that industry, local planners, and first responders need to recognize the public safety hazards associated with transportation, the Clean…
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What is the definition of fuel for the purposes of the fuel exclusion for the risk management program?
A flammable substance listed in 40 CFR §68.130 is excluded from the risk management program regulations when it is used as a fuel or held for sale as a fuel at a retail facility (§68.126). What is the definition of fuel for the purposes of this exclusion? The two prongs…
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What is the definition of a retail facility?
A flammable substance listed in 40 CFR §68.130 is excluded from the Risk Management Program regulations when it is used as a fuel or held for sale as a fuel at a retail facility (§68.126). What is the definition of a retail facility for the purposes of this exclusion? A…
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What is the definition of "process"?
Process, as defined at 40 CFR §68.3, means any activity involving a regulated substance, including any use, storage, manufacturing, handling, or on-site movement of such substances, or combination of these activities. Any group of vessels that are interconnected, or separate vessels that are located such that a regulated substance could…
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Does a PHA for OSHA satisfy EPA's PHA requirement for Program 3?
The risk management program regulations require that an initial process hazard analysis (PHA) for each Program 3 process be completed no later than June 21, 1999 (or by the time the process first has more than a threshold quantity of a regulated substance, if that occurs after June 21, 1999)…
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How often must employees complete refresher training?
How often must employees of facilities that are subject to the risk management program complete refresher training? A facility owner or operator must provide refresher training at least every three years, and more often if necessary, to each employee operating a process in order to ensure that the employee understands…
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Is EPA's PHA stationary source siting requirement analogous to OSHA's PSM?
Does EPA interpret the Program 3 process hazard analysis - stationary source siting requirement analogously to OSHA's Process Safety Management standard? Yes. The requirement to consider stationary source siting during the process hazard analysis means that you should consider the location of the covered vessels and evaluate whether their location…