SERC-TERC Update: April 2024
Mention of non-EPA documents, presentations, training opportunities and conferences does not constitute an U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the SERC-TERC audience.
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Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security
Final Publication: NIMS Guideline for Mutual Aid
FEMA’s National Integration Center published the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Guideline for Mutual Aid. NIMS is a key component of the national incident management capabilities and enables organizations from across the nation to work together during incidents of all kinds and sizes. Implementing NIMS nationwide is a fundamental part of building our national preparedness.
The NIMS Guideline for Mutual Aid supplements the Resource Management component of NIMS by providing guidance on different types of mutual aid agreements, the key elements of a mutual aid agreement and the key elements of mutual aid operational plans used for implementation.
Safety Advisory: Possible Catastrophic Failure of Nurse Tanks and Recommendation for Periodic Testing
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a joint safety advisory. The advisory warns that nurse tanks manufactured by American Welding and Tank between 2007 and 2011 “that are exempted from periodic inspection and testing requirements” may be prone to failure.
The advisory comes after an August incident at a farm co-op in which an AWT nurse tank experienced a catastrophic failure, resulting in the release of anhydrous ammonia. “The failure caused the tank shell to ‘rocket’ over 300 feet from its original location,” the advisory states. Although no injuries were reported, “this event is an indicator of potential continuing problems with AWT nurse tanks that have now been in service for over a decade.”
The advisory notes that nurse tanks that carry American Society of Mechanical Engineers identification plates and meet other requirements are exempt from periodic inspection and testing under hazardous materials regulations. Inspection and testing requirements apply when plates are missing or illegible.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the PHMSA recommend owners of affected tanks who are unable to conduct voluntary pressure testing attempt either radiographic or ultrasonic testing. The agencies suggest testing at least once every five years.
Hot Topics
Eight Months Since Lapse in CFATS Reauthorization
It has now been more than eight months since Congress allowed the statutory authority for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program (6 CFR Part 27) to expire on July 28, 2023. CFATS worked to ensure that communities surrounding high-risk chemical facilities were safer from the risk of chemical terrorism, including fire and emergency personnel who would respond to an incident. More than 90% of CFATS visits resulted in confirmed outreach with local law enforcement and emergency personnel - outreach that can no longer be confirmed due to the lapse in CFATS. CISA continues to urge Congress to reauthorize the CFATS program in order to make our communities and emergency personnel more secure.
Training Opportunities and Conferences
CAMEO for Planning
Understand the hazardous material threat in your jurisdiction. Experienced instructors will train
you how to use the Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Suite software to facilitate planning for hazardous material incidents. This training focuses on CAMEO Data Manager (DM), CAMEO Chemicals, and MARPLOT. Find more information and register here.
This month-long class includes: online classroom with 24/7 access to weekly lessons, videos & activities; weekly, scheduled live Q&A webinars.
2024 Tribal Assistance Coordination Group Conference
Click here for more information.
Ammonia Safety & Training Institute presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises available to local industry and community responders
- ASTI formed the National Safety Day Coalition together with IIAR, RETA, and GCCA to present safety and emergency response preparedness training at minimal cost to the attendees.
- ASTI worked with Region 9 EPA to create ammonia Tabletop Exercises based upon the One Plan four stages of response; focused on engaging local, state, and federal emergency response plans.
- ASTI organizes and leads a local committee of industry, public safety, and governmental leaders to create Safety Day presentations and Tabletop Exercises.
- Sample topics include: hazard analysis, health & safety concerns, critical task readiness, e.g., emergency system control, rapid “grab and go” rescue by first responders, and methods of containment and control of ammonia events using proper methods e.g., personnel protective equipment, decontamination, teaming agreement with public safety responders, monitoring systems, and command team coordination and communications readiness to address on-site and off-site life safety and environmental receptors.
Event schedule updated regularly on ASTI website at www.ammonia-safety.com.
For a current list of events: Event Schedule
Contact ASTI via email at asti@ammonia-safety.com or call 831-761-2935 for more information.
More Information
Environmental Protection Agency / Department of Homeland Security & US Coast Guard
Department of Labor & Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Department of Transportation / Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/ Department of Agriculture