EPA Strengthens Chemical Facility Safeguards with Key Requirements Advocated by Rep. Barragán

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA March 1 announced new safeguards and rules to improve the safety of nearly 12,000 chemical plants operating under the Risk Management Program or RMP. EPA included a number of new amendments to its final rule to improve protections for workers, first responders and communities living near the facilities that were requested in a letter led by Representative Barragán and Senator Cory Booker last year. 

EPA’s amendments to its original rule, many of which were requested by Congresswoman Barragán and Senator Booker, include:

Requiring analysis of safer technologies and alternatives, and in some cases, implementation of reliable safeguard measures for certain facilities in industry sectors with high accident rates. 

Advancing employee participation, training, and opportunities for employee decision-making in facility accident prevention.

Requiring third-party compliance audits and root cause analysis incident investigation for facilities that have had a prior accident. 

Enhancing facility planning and preparedness efforts to strengthen emergency response by ensuring chemical release information is timely shared with local responders and a community notification system is in place to warn the community of any impending release. 

Emphasizing the requirement for regulated facilities to evaluate risks of natural hazards and climate change, including any associated loss of power.

Increased transparency by providing access to RMP facility information for communities nearby. 

Details: https://tinyurl.com/prevent-chemical-disasters