SERC-TERC Updates: August 2023 |
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SERCs, TERCs, and Federal Partners: Please forward this monthly update to your stakeholders
Mention of non-EPA documents, presentations, training opportunities and conferences does not constitute an U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the SERC-TERC audience.
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Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security |
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Department of Labor Announces Rule Expanding Submission Requirements for Injury, Illness Data Provided by Employers in High-Hazard Industries
- Establishments with 100 or more employees in certain high-hazard industries must electronically submit information from their Form 300-Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, and Form 301-Injury and Illness Incident Report to OSHA once a year. These submissions are in addition to submission of Form 300A-Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.
- To improve data quality, establishments are required to include their legal company name when making electronic submissions to OSHA from their injury and illness records.
OSHA will publish some of the data collected on its website to allow employers, employees, potential employees, employee representatives, current and potential customers, researchers and the general public to use information about a company's workplace safety and health record to make informed decisions. OSHA believes that providing public access to the data will ultimately reduce occupational injuries and illnesses.
FEMA Publishes Hazard Mitigation Resource Typing Documents
FEMA’s National Integration Center has published nine Hazard Mitigation resource typing documents. This includes two NIMS-typed Hazard Mitigation teams for operations and planning, and seven positions that make up the teams.
FEMA assembled a stakeholder group comprised of subject-matter experts from federal, state, local and non-governmental entities to review the existing resource types. These efforts resulted in the creation of three new positions and updates to the existing positions and teams that incorporate the latest best practices in hazard mitigation.
These resource typing documents enhance the interoperability and effectiveness of mutual aid by establishing baseline qualifications for Hazard Mitigation NIMS-typed teams and personnel. This facilitates the sharing of deployable resources at all jurisdictional levels. The Hazard Mitigation resource types can be accessed in the Resource Typing Library Tool.
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CSB Releases New Safety Video on 2019 Explosions and Fires at the TPC Group Chemical Plant in Port Neches, Texas
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video on its investigation into the serious November 2019 incident at the TPC Group Chemical Plant in Port Neches, Texas. A series of explosions destroyed a portion of the TPC facility, damaged nearby homes and businesses, and prompted a mandatory evacuation of residents living within four miles of the plant. Several workers and members of the public reported injuries and fires burned at the facility for over a month. The incident caused $450 million in on-site property damage and $153 million in off-site property damage to nearby homes and businesses. Media reports indicated that the blast was felt up to 30 miles away. The CSB’s investigation found that the incident at the TPC plant was the result of inadequate management of a hazard called “popcorn polymer,” which is well known to plants, such as TPC, that handle or produce butadiene.
CSB Releases Final Report on 2019 Massive Tank Farm Fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Company facility in Deer Park, Texas
The CSB released its final investigation report on the 2019 tank farm fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC (ITC) bulk liquid storage terminal in Deer Park, Texas. The massive fire caused substantial property damage, significantly impacted the environment, and led to the issuance of several shelter-in-place orders that seriously disrupted the local community.
CSB Releases Investigation Report into Fatal 2020 Explosion at Optima Belle Facility in Belle, West Virginia
The CSB released its final report into the December 8, 2020, fatal incident at Optima Belle LLC (Optima Bell) in Belle, WV. The incident occurred during Optima Belle’s production of a sanitizing compound for Clearon Corporation (Clearon). A dryer at the Optima Belle facility that was removing water from the compound exploded, resulting in the death of an employee and leading to significant property damage and a shelter-in-place order for the neighboring community.
Other EPA email lists available:
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Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standard (CFATS) Operational Updates
To date, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has received over 108,000 Top-Screen submissions from over 45,000 unique facilities. Of these, CFATS covers 3,265 facilities. Additionally, the program has completed 4,696 Authorization Inspections, 10,878 Compliance Inspections, and 10,631 Compliance Assistance Visits.
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Training Opportunities and Conferences |
Investing in America: Climate Action Funding Fair, August 7-11, 2023
EPA is hosting the Investing in America: Climate Action Funding Fair online the week of August 7, 2023. Representatives from various federal agencies and non-profit organizations will present their insights on key funding programs and share ideas on opportunities for leveraging complementary incentives.
The fair is a virtual series of events designed to assist states, local governments, Tribes, and territories to effectively identify, navigate, and prepare to leverage the many federal funding opportunities available as they develop climate action plans as required under EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the many funding opportunities available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as how they may interact to achieve greater outcomes.
Click here for more information and to register for sessions.
EPA Region V: How to Comply with EPA’s EPCRA and 112(r) Reporting Requirements for Chlorine, Virtual, September 12
EPA Region V is sponsoring a web-based training programs for water and wastewater plant operators, and other facilities that have chlorine in a process. This free webinar will provide participants with the information and tools necessary to comply with EPA’s emergency planning, notification, and reporting requirements for chlorine. For more information and to register click here. For questions, contact Monika Chrzaszcz.
ChemLock: Introduction to Chemical Security Training Course, Virtual
This course provides an introduction to identifying, assessing, evaluating, and mitigating chemical security risks. This easy-to-understand overview identifies key components and best practices of chemical security awareness and planning to help kickstart chemical security discussions at a facility. This course runs 1-2 hours in length and is appropriate for all personnel regardless of their level of involvement with dangerous chemicals.
ChemLock: Secure Your Chemicals Security Planning Training Course, Virtual
This course walks through how to create a tailored, scalable security plan that meets the business model and unique circumstances of a facility. Participants will learn the key elements of a chemical security plan and benefit from examples, lessons learned, and best practices. The course runs 2-3 hours in length and is designed to help leadership, facility security personnel, and other applicable personnel understand, develop, and implement a facility security plan.
Please share this course information with relevant chemical security stakeholders in your area. To request a special offering of either course for a facility or organization, please fill out the ChemLock Services Request Form. If you have questions about the ChemLock program, please email ChemLock@cisa.dhs.gov.
2023 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF), August 14-17, 2023, Syracuse, NY
This is the thirteenth annual forum for environmental professionals from Tribes, USEPA, State/Local/Federal agencies, community organizations, and other interested parties to meet, share knowledge, and learn from one another how to improve management, protection, and restoration of Tribal lands for us and all our relations. Registration is open. Visit the 2023 TLEF website to learn more about this year’s forum.
Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinars
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Overview of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure and Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Software Suite Webinar for Tribal Partners (August 24, September 7 and 22, 2023).
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This hour and a half, EPA-hosted session will provide a basic overview of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure oil spill prevention program and how the Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software suite can be used to help communities prepare for and respond to chemical and oil spills. The session will also include a question-and-answer segment where participants can interact with the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure national program manager and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act program coordinator.
- Visit this link for more information and to register
- Tank Talk: Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Overview Webinar for Tribal Partners (August 31 and September 21, 2023)
- This 4-hour session will provide an in-depth overview of the oil program, regulatory requirements, program implementation (inspections), and federal oil spill reporting requirements. This webinar will assist tribes with Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure compliance and the opportunity to view EPA inspector photographs showing common violations observed in the field.
- Visit this link for more information and to register
2023 Chemical Security Summit, August 29-31, 2023, Virtual and Northern VA
Registration for the 2023 Summit is now open. CISA will be hosting the 2023 Chemical Security Summit virtually and in-person at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.
Join participants from across the spectrum of sectors that deal with chemical security—including industry organizations, facility owners and operators, government officials, first responders, and law enforcement—to hear the latest program and regulatory updates, share perspectives and lessons learned, and engage in dialogue regarding chemical security.
EPA 20th Annual Drinking Water Workshop, September 11-14, Covington, KY
Registration is now open for the 20th Annual EPA Drinking Water Workshop. The workshop is hosted by EPA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Water in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA).
- Primarily designed for tribal, state, and territory personnel responsible for drinking water regulations compliance and treatment technologies permitting, the workshop will provide current information, resources, and training needed to help in building systems capacity and sustainably and with providing equitable access to drinking water. System owners and operators, local and government personnel, academics, design engineers, technical assistance providers, and consultants may also benefit from attending.
- Additional Information and Registration
Save the Date: TRI National Conference, October 24-25, 2023, Arlington, VA
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Conference is back! Join EPA on October 24 & 25, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia, for conference sessions related to the theme TRI: Transforming Data into Action. Watch the conference webpage for a call for more details, coming soon.
CAMEO for Planning, Virtual
Understand the hazardous material threat in your jurisdiction. Experienced instructors will train you how to use the CAMEO® Suite software to facilitate planning for hazardous material incidents. This training includes CAMEO Data Manager (DM). This month-long class includes: online classroom with 24/7 access to weekly lessons, videos & activities; weekly, scheduled live Q&A webinars; 1-hour Zoom call on the first day of class; and four, 2-hour webinars on the remaining 4 days. One remaining session in 2023:
- Session 3: Oct. 25 – Nov. 29 (Wed. webinars – skip Thanksgiving week)
- All Zoom Calls begin at 8am PT/9 MT/10 CT/11 ET
Introduction to CAMEO Chemicals: Training Video
The EPA webinar Introduction to CAMEO Chemicals was held on May 23, 2023. This webinar was led by Len Wallace, EPA Region 1, who provided an overview of CAMEO Chemicals including a live demonstration. For a brief summary of the CAMEO Chemicals program and its capabilities, download the CAMEO Chemicals fact sheet from the link below. This webinar recording will assist first responders, emergency planners, and facility staff to get key information quickly through CAMEO Chemicals.
CAMEO Chemicals is the hazardous chemical database for the CAMEO® software suite, which is used widely to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. CAMEO Chemicals also has a tool to predict possible hazards if chemicals are mixed together. With CAMEO Chemicals, you can search through the extensive chemical database to find chemical datasheets with critical response information, including physical properties, health hazards, information about air and water hazards, and recommendations for firefighting, first aid, and spill response. CAMEO Chemicals is available as a website, mobile website, mobile app, and desktop program. The mobile app and the desktop program formats can be used offline, and the desktop program can share information with other CAMEO suite programs.
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Ammonia Safety & Training Institute (ASTI) presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises (TTX) available to local industry and community responders
- ASTI formed the National Safety Day Coalition together with IIAR, RETA, and GCCA to present safety and emergency response preparedness training at minimal cost to the attendees.
- ASTI worked with Region 9 EPA to create ammonia Tabletop Exercises based upon the One Plan four stages of response; focused on engaging local, state, and federal emergency response plans.
- ASTI organizes and leads a local committee of industry, public safety, and governmental leaders to create Safety Day presentations and Tabletop Exercises.
- Sample topics include: hazard analysis, health & safety concerns, critical task readiness, e.g., emergency system control, rapid “grab and go” rescue by first responders, and methods of containment and control of ammonia events using proper methods e.g., personnel protective equipment, decontamination, teaming agreement with public safety responders, monitoring systems, and command team coordination and communications readiness to address on-site and off-site life safety and environmental receptors.
Scheduled Events
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Environmental Protection Agency / Department of Homeland Security & US Coast Guard
Department of Labor & Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Department of Transportation / Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/ Department of Agriculture
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