The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has updated provisions of its Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention rule that apply to facilities with risk management programs. The final rule includes revisions to improve chemical process safety; assist in planning, preparing for and responding to accidents; and increase public awareness of chemical hazards.
The rule requires regulated facilities to perform an analysis of safer technologies and alternatives. In some cases, facilities will be required to implement protection measures. Additional provisions include empowering workers in safety decisions and increasing access to facility information. The final rule covers 11,740 regulated facilities. An estimated 131 million people who live within three miles of a targeted facility are at risk of exposure in the event of a toxic chemical release.
To learn more, visit the EPA’s Risk Management Program rule website.