EPA's Risk Management Program Rule Affects Pulp Mills More Than OSHA's PSM Standard, 1996 Pulping Conference Proceedings

D. H. ( Andy ) Andrew

JBF Associates, Inc.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) finalized rule on Risk Management Programs for Chemical Accidental Release Prevention (40 CFR 68) places extensive new requirements on pulp mills handling extremely hazardous substances. The risk management program (RMP) rule covers some processes beyond those already addressed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) process safety management (PSM) regulation (29 CFR 1910.119). Compliance requirements are more extensive than those for PSM. RMP bases its prevention program on PSM. In addition to the prevention program, RMP requires facilities to perform a hazard assessment and coordinate emergency response programs with the community. All three of these programs are incorporated and documented in a publicly tiled risk management plan (RMPlan). The required hazard assessment evaluates the offsite consequences of potential worst-case and alternative (more likely) release scenarios. Facilities must also compile a S-year history of accidental release data. The emergency response program requirements include providing local emergency planners with any information they need to assist in developing/improving the community emergency response plans. This poster will make available information and insight on EPA’s final RMP rule, which became effective August 19, 1996, and its impact on the pulp and paper industry.