Learn the Issues
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Why were ERPG-2 values selected as toxic endpoints instead of ERPG-3?
An endpoint is needed for analysis of offsite consequences of potential accidental releases of regulated substances. The endpoint to be used for each regulated toxic substance is provided in Part 68, Appendix A, and is the Emergency Response Planning Guideline level 2 (ERPG-2) developed for the substance by the American…
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Worst-case “quantity released” reporting for a mixture
In section 2, element 2.5, of an RMP, facilities must report the quantity of toxic chemical that the facility used for the worst-case analysis. When reporting this data element in RMP*eSubmit for a mixture, should facilities report the entire weight of the toxic mixture potentially being released or only the…
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Identification of Industrial Buildings, Commercial Buildings, and Recreational Areas
Pursuant to the hazard assessment requirements in 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, an owner or operator is required to conduct an offsite consequence analysis and analyze a worst-case release scenario and alternative release scenarios as part of a risk management plan (RMP). When completing these scenarios, public receptors need…
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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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Non-residential population in off-site consequence analyses
Must an owner or operator include in their risk management plan (RMP) estimates of the non-residential population when defining off-site impacts for the off-site consequence analysis? Owners or operators are required to note in the RMP the presence of any major institutions (i.e., schools, hospitals, or prisons), public recreational areas…
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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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When to Revise OCA
The risk management program in 40 CFR Part 68 requires facilities to conduct an off-site consequence analysis (OCA) to provide information to state, local, and federal governments and the public about the potential consequences of an accidental chemical release. When does a facility need to revise its OCA? The owner…
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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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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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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 Contractor Related Requirements
Facilities subject to the Program 3 Prevention Program requirements in 40 CFR Part 68 must include in their Risk Management Plan the date of the most recent review or revision of contractor safety procedures in Section 7.14 and the date of the most recent review or revision of contractor safety…
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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…
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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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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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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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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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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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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…