To explicitly consider the risks from natural disasters and climate change in hazard reviews, the US EPA has recommended modifying its Risk Management Program (RMP) requirements, which apply to establishments that store, manufacture, use, or handle specific quantities of hazardous substances.
Although there has been a long-term trend toward fewer incidents, the agency claims that this should be improved to safeguard both human health and the environment.
The Safer Communities through Chemical Accident Prevention (SCCAP) rule is a proposed regulation that seeks to:
● enhance security,
● Support emergency preparedness and response, and
● raise public knowledge of chemical risks at regulated facilities.
● Explicating addressing natural Hazard
However, it was discovered that 46 accidents had exceptional weather events as contributory elements and that 34 accidents that happened at RMP-regulated facilities between 2004 and 2020 had a natural cause as the initial event. Natural hazard-triggering technological mishaps, or Natech occurrences, are incidents brought on by natural disasters.
Additionally, the proposed rule includes the following provisions:
● the evaluation of safer technologies;
● the requirement to notify the local community and emergency response agencies in the event of a hazardous material release;
● the provision of access to specific hazard information to the local community;
● the performance of root cause analysis after an incident; and
● the inclusion of employees in safety planning
References: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/31/2022-18249/accidental-release-prevention-requirements-risk-management-programs-under-the-clean-air-act-safer
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-104494.pdf
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