SERC-TERC Update: July 2024
Sign up to receive the newsletter.
Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Announces New Requirements for Freight Railroads to Provide Hazmat Information to First Responders
DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced a final rule to protect firefighters and improve public safety. The final rule requires railroads to proactively provide first responders with real-time, electronic information about rail hazmat shipments to the primary Public Safety Answering Point (for example, a 9-1-1 call center or emergency responder phone app such as the AskRail Mobile App) as soon as the railroad is aware of an accident or incident involving hazardous materials.
The final rule requires all railroads to generate, in hard copy and electronic versions, real-time train consist information for shipments containing hazardous materials. Required information includes the quantity and position of the hazardous materials on the train, the train’s origin and destination, emergency response information, and a designated emergency point of contact at the railroad.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Emergency Response Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Comment Period Extended
OSHA has extended the comment period for the Emergency Response Standard NPRM to July 22, 2024. This proposal is intended 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. The newly named "Emergency Response" standard updates safety and health protections in line with national consensus standards for a broad range of workers exposed to hazards that arise during and after fires and other emergencies. The proposal will include major changes for protective clothing and equipment and significant improvements in safety and health practices that the industry generally accepts as standard procedures.
Learn more about OSHA's Emergency Response Rulemaking.
NIMS Alert 13-24 FEMA Seeking Feedback on Draft: Planning Considerations: Putting People First
FEMA is seeking feedback on the draft Planning Considerations: Putting People First. This document is intended to assist emergency managers and planning partners at all levels in identifying and understanding the interests and needs of populations throughout their communities, particularly those that are disproportionately impacted by disasters and may have been historically underserved populations. The guide outlines an understanding of a people first approach through application of the Six Step Planning Process established in Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (CPG 101) and discusses the importance of community engagement in maintaining strong community partnerships. Additionally, the guide includes data analysis and visualization resources and population spotlight sheets to help begin the process of how to engage and assess the needs of underserved populations.
A line-numbered version of the draft guide is provided to help identify specific areas or topics for potential revision or development. The feedback form can be used to capture any recommendations. Email feedback or questions to NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov. The feedback period will conclude at close of business on July 10, 2024.
As part of the engagement period FEMA will be hosting a series of 60-minute webinars. These sessions will cover an overview of the content in the document and facilitate discussion to gather feedback on the content of the document.
To access the document and for details on listening sessions, please visit the FEMA website.
Hot Topics
U.S. Chemical Safety Board Issues Final Report into Fatal 2022 Fire at BP-Husky Refinery Near Toledo, Ohio
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) issued its final investigation report into the fatal naphtha release and fire at the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery in Oregon, Ohio, on September 20, 2022, which resulted in the death of two BP employees, who were brothers. During an emergency situation at the refinery, liquid naphtha was released from a pressurized vessel, which resulted in a vapor cloud that subsequently ignited, causing a flash fire, which fatally injured the two BP employees. The events on September 20, 2022 resulted in approximately $597 million in property damage at the refinery, including loss of use. Over 23,000 pounds of naphtha were released during the incident.
As a result of its findings, the CSB is issuing a total of seven safety recommendations to the current owner of the facility (Ohio Refining Company LLC, a subsidiary of Cenovus Energy Inc., which acquired the refinery from BP in February 2023); the American Petroleum Institute; and the International Society of Automation. Each recommendation aims to address an existing safety gap.
For more information, please visit website, www.csb.gov or contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
Eleven Months Since Lapse in CFATS Reauthorization
It has now been more than eleven 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 with high-risk facilities to ensure that their dangerous chemicals stayed out of the hands of bad actors. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has currently missed an average of 1,760 inspections at high-risk facilities, and an average of 99,000 names have not been vetted against the Terrorist Screening Database—a measure that ensured personnel with access to dangerous chemicals did not have terrorist ties. CISA can no longer say with certainty where high-risk facilities are located, what dangerous chemicals are being utilized, or who has access to these chemicals. Simply put, communities are at a greater risk today than they were at this time last year. CISA urges Congress to reauthorize CFATS.
Training Opportunities and Conferences
Climate Adaptation & Hazard Mitigation Certificate Program, Conducting Whole Community Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments
On Earth Day 2024, FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) announced the Climate Adaptation & Hazard Mitigation Certificate Program (EMI Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate (fema.gov)). This program consists of four foundational courses offered through EMI and multiple elective courses offered by training partners such as George Tech EI2 Global.
Register for MGT-490-V, Conducting Whole Community Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (one of the elective courses).
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.
Ammonia Safety & Training Institute presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises available to local industry and community responders
Event schedule updated regularly on ASTI website at www.ammonia-safety.com.
For a current list of events:
Contact ASTI via email at asti@ammonia-safety.com or call 831-761-2935 for more information.