U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Update into July 2024 Hazardous Ammonia Release at Cuisine Solutions in Virginia

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into the July 31, 2024 hazardous ammonia release at the Cuisine Solutions, Inc. food processing facility in Sterling, Virginia. The incident involved the accidental release of anhydrous ammonia and dozens of employees were injured by the release.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Deploys Teams to Investigate Fatal Explosion at Givaudan Facility in Louisville, KY

The CSB announced that it is sending a team of investigators to Louisville, Kentucky, to investigate the fatal explosion that occurred on November 12, 2024, at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility in Louisville, KY.  Two employees were killed and eleven others were injured by the explosion.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Update into Fatal Hydrogen Sulfide Release at PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Deer Park, TX

The CSB released an update on its investigation of a fatal release of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Texas on October 10, 2024, which killed two workers and injured 13 others.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Update into September 2024 Massive Fire and Toxic Plume at Bio-Lab Facility in Georgia

The CSB released an investigation update into the chemical reaction and toxic gas release on September 29, 2024, at the Bio-Lab, Inc. facility in Conyers, Georgia, that resulted in a massive fire and plume of toxic smoke that threatened the surrounding community and the metropolitan Atlanta area.

For more information on these CSB updates please visit www.csb.gov or contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.

National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety Launches New Page on DOT PHMSA Website

The National Center of Excellence for LNG Safety (Center) has launched a new page on the DOT PHMSA website. The new page can be found under the website's Safety tab in the drop down menu and provides an overview of the Center and its core services.

FEMA Releases New Video and Supporting Documents for Climate Adaptation Planning for Emergency Managers

On April 22, 2024, FEMA released the "Climate Adaptation Planning: Guidance for Emergency Managers."The guide helps emergency managers incorporate climate adaptation into emergency management planning efforts and the structure is designed to walk state, local, Tribal Nation and territorial partners through the Six Step Planning Process, as identified in "Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101: Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans." FEMA has now released a short video summarizing how emergency managers can incorporate climate into the Six Step Planning Process. Supporting documents are also now available in both English and Spanish on the Planning Guides page.

BNSF Railway HAZMAT Training and Emergency Planning Training, December 10, 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm (Central Standard Time), Virtual

On December 10, 2024, BNSF HAZMAT will be hosting a second webinar where they will answer specific questions from community responders and emergency managers about preparing for and responding to railroad HAZMAT emergencies, spills, and derailments. If you were not able to attend Session I, you can find a recording in their Online Learning Center. Listening to Session I is encouraged prior to attending Session II. Register here for Session II.

EPA Webinar: SARA Title III for the Tribal Superfund Community, December 19, 2024, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (Eastern Time), Virtual

Register Here (Note: Webinar information will be posted this week. If it’s not there yet when you look, please check back.)

This training is open to everyone. The target audience is the Tribal Superfund Community. It will provide an overview of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which is also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorizations Act (SARA Title III). The presentation will be focused on how EPCRA may be useful for remediation programs and offer an introduction to how Tribal communities can organize to work within the emergency planning and response framework to enhance chemical safety. The training will include an overview provided by US EPA’s Jennifer Barre, and insights on the challenges and successes of Tribal implementation of EPCRA will be offered by Ruby Dawn Manning of the Shosone-Paiute Tribe. 

EPA Webinar: Developing the Tribal Chemical Emergency Planning Framework, January 23, 2025, 3:00pm – 4:30pm Eastern Time, Virtual

Register Here (Note: Webinar information will be posted this week. If it’s not there yet when you look, please check back.)

This training is open to everyone. This training will provide the foundational knowledge and resources needed for Tribes to develop their chemical emergency planning frameworks. This will include how to develop a Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC) or a Tribal Emergency Planning Committee (TEPC), and also to discuss the interactions between Tribes, States, regulated facilities, and locals. The training will include an overview provided by the US EPA’s Jennifer Barre, and insights on the challenges and successes of Tribal implementation of EPCRA will be offered by Chuck Kmet, Emergency Manager for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. 

This will only include a brief regulatory overview of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which is also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title II). Please review the background information below for this fundamental knowledge.

Background Information: www.epa.gov/epcra (Except EPCRA 313 the Toxics Release Inventory program); 40 CFR 355 (Emergency Planning and Notification); 40 CFR 370 (Hazardous Chemical Reporting); 40 CFR 350 (Trade Secrecy Claims).

EPA Western Regions SERC/TERC Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, January 28-29, 2025

Annual meeting with SERCs and TERCs from EPA Regions 8, 9, and 10 at the Utah Multi-Agency State Office Building (MASOB), DEQ Board Room.195 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116. Use the Event Brite link to RSVP.

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 your facility.

This course runs 1-2 hours in length and is appropriate for all personnel regardless of their level of involvement with dangerous chemicals.

• Register for January 15, 2025 - 1-3 p.m. ET

• Register for April 15, 2025 - 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET

• Register for July 17, 2025 - 2-4 p.m. ET

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.

This 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.

• Register for February 18, 2025 - 12-3 p.m. ET

• Register for May 21, 2025 - 10a.m.-1 p.m. ET

• Register for August 21, 2024 - 1-4 p.m. ET

For more information or to request a specific training for your facility, please visit the ChemLock Training webpage.

2025 NASTTPO Annual Workshop, Milwaukee, WI, April 21-25, 2025

Annual workshop to be held at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 West Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203. For more information and to register for the workshop please visit the NASTTPO website.