SERC-TERC Update: February 2024
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Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security
OSHA Emergency Response Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
OSHA is publishing a proposal to update an existing standard and expand safety and health protections for emergency responders, including firefighters, emergency medical service providers and technical search and rescue workers. OSHA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modernize the agency's "Fire Brigades" standard — first published in 1980 — as its protections for a narrow set of industrial and private firefighters have become outdated.
Hot Topics
FEMA Updates the Climate Risk and Resilience (ClimRR) Portal
- New Consolidated Local Reports Assessing Future Climate Hazards and Community Impacts
- New Maps, Charts & Visualizations
- Improved Educational Features to Interpret Climate Hazard Data Points
New ‘Catalog of Applied TRI Data Uses’
Six Months Since Lapse of CFATS Statutory Authorities
On January 28, 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency marked six months since Congress allowed the statutory authority for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program (6 CFR Part 27) to expire. Since CISA can no longer enforce compliance with the CFATS regulations at this time, this means that CISA cannot require facilities to report their chemicals of interest or submit any information in the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT), perform inspections, or provide CFATS compliance assistance, amongst other activities. In other words, CISA can no longer require high-risk chemical facilities to implement cyber and physical security measures in order to ensure that dangerous chemicals stay out of terrorists’ hands. CISA urges Congress to reauthorize CFATS in order to ensure that security is in place at high-risk facilities and to better protect our communities, local first responders, and facility personnel.
Training Opportunities and Conferences
ChemLock
ChemLock provides an introduction to identifying, assessing, evaluating, and mitigating chemical security risks. Their easy-to-understand overview identifies key components and best practices of chemical security awareness and planning to help kickstart chemical security discussions at a facility.
CAMEO for Planning
NASTTPO
The National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials is made up of members and staff of SERCs, TERCs, LEPCs, various federal agencies, and private industry. Members include state, tribal or local government employees with Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know program responsibilities, such as health, occupational safety, first response, environmental, and emergency management agencies. More information.
Tribal Assistance Coordination Group
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.