SERC-TERC Update: June 2023
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
USDOT Proposes Requirements for Real-time Hazmat Information for Firefighters and First Responders to Improve Freight Rail Safety
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing a new rule aimed at improving public safety and preventing environmental impacts by strengthening requirements governing railroads’ provision of hazardous materials information to responders during a hazmat incident. The proposal would require railroads to always maintain — and update in real-time — accurate, electronic information about rail hazmat shipments in a train consist that would be accessible to authorized emergency response personnel. Railroads would also be required to proactively “push” that information to authorized local first response personnel as soon as the railroad is aware of an accident involving any hazardous materials.
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would require all railroads to generate, in hard copy and electronic versions, real-time train consist information for shipments containing hazardous materials. Required information would include the quantity and position of the shipment on the train, the shipment’s origin and destination, and a designated emergency point of contact at the railroad. The comment period is open until August 28, 2023. Comment and find more information on the docket on regulations.gov for this action.
FEMA Seeks Public Feedback on National Incident Management System Guideline for Mutual Aid
FEMA’s National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Guideline for Mutual Aid. This national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on July 12, 2023. 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.
Hot Topics
Training Video: Management of Hazardous Chemicals at Chemical Warehousing and Chemical Distribution Facilities
EPA has released a training video reviewing the 2021 Joint Safety Advisory (EPA, OSHA, and DHS-CISA) for Chemical Warehouses and Distribution Facilities. The video address the types of operations in the chemical warehousing industry that are of concern, provides a summary of the applicable federal chemical safety regulations, and defines common issues related to chemical management and safety. This video and other Chemical Accident Prevention Publications are available here.
Missed a webinar about EPCRA 313?
Check out the new Toxics Release Inventory webinar archive for webinar recordings on topics including real-world applications of TRI data, what tribal communities should know about TRI, EPA’s TRI/risk-screening tool, and more.
CSB Releases Final Report into Fatal Chemical Release at Wacker Polysilicon Facility in Tennessee
the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report into the November 2020 hydrogen chloride (HCl) release that occurred during maintenance activities at the Wacker Polysilicon North American facility in Charleston, Tennessee. A worker was fatally injured in the incident. The CSB found that at the time of the incident there were multiple contract workers present on the fifth-floor of an equipment access platform at the facility. The contract workers were from two different firms, conducting different work, and were wearing different levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). One of the workers applied excessive torque to flange bolts on a heat exchanger outlet pipe containing HCl, causing the pipe to crack and release the hazardous chemical in the vicinity of the workers. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
CSB Releases New Safety Video on Explosion and Fire at the Husky Superior Refinery in Wisconsin
CSB released a new safety video on its investigation into the April 2018 explosion and fire at the Husky Superior Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin. The incident injured 36 workers, caused roughly $550 million in damage to the facility and released 39,000 pounds of flammable hydrocarbon vapor into the air. Over 2,500 residents of the City of Superior were evacuated from their homes, and the City of Duluth, Minnesota, issued a shelter in place order. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
CFATS Operational Updates
To date, CISA has received over 108,000 Top-Screen submissions from over 44,000 unique facilities. Of these, CFATS covers 3,248 facilities. Additionally, the program has completed 4,686 Authorization Inspections, 10,762 Compliance Inspections, and 10,605 Compliance Assistance Visits.
Training Opportunities
Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinars
- Overview of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure and Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Software Suite Webinar for Tribal Partners (August 24, September 7 and 22, 2023).
- This hour and a half, EPA-hosted session will provide a basic overview of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure oil spill prevention program and how the Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software suite can be used to help communities prepare for and respond to chemical and oil spills. The session will also include a question-and-answer segment where participants can interact with the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure national program manager and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act program coordinator.
- Visit this link for more information and to register
- Tank Talk: Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Overview Webinar for Tribal Partners (August 31 and September 21, 2023)
- This 4-hour session will provide an in-depth overview of the oil program, regulatory requirements, program implementation (inspections), and federal oil spill reporting requirements. This webinar will assist tribes with Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure compliance and the opportunity to view EPA inspector photographs showing common violations observed in the field.
- Visit this link for more information and to register
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.
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