(57r) Navigating the Applicability of OSHA and EPA Chemical Related Regulations

Navigating the applicability of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management for Highly Hazardous Chemicals and the Environmental Protection Agency's Risk Management Program Rule, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act can be complex. This paper will provide tools, definitions, exceptions etc. to help navigate these regulations to help determine when they apply and when they do not apply and what is required for compliance. This helps not only for regulatory compliance, but managing the hazards and risks that these procedures are meant to protect and mitigate.

Each one of these regulations has a different purpose and focus, but each are important in their own way. Most chemical plants will need to follow these mandated requirements, but it is helpful to know when they apply and when they may not apply which has to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. There are many intricate nuances that need to be considered. This paper will provide flowcharts to determine applicability and tables or links to specific areas of the regulations to guide the user through the requirements within the regulation.

Although compliance is not the main focus it helps to have shortcuts and information to make the compliance process more streamlined, error proof and efficient. The information presented in this paper should provide a means to accomplish those goals.