The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeks comments on potential revisions to its risk management program (RMP) regulations and related programs. EPA is required to modernize its regulations by Executive Order 13650: Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security.

During the 90-day comment period, which ends October 29, EPA seeks information and data on specific regulatory elements and process safety management (PSM) approaches to enhance public health and safety, and aid local fire, police and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies. The information received will be used when reviewing chemical hazards covered by the RMP and to determine how this program should be expanded to improve chemical facility safety.

Specifically, the request for information seeks comments on strengthening or clarifying several existing process safety elements under the RMP, including compliance audits, maintenance of safety critical equipment, managing organizational changes, emergency response capabilities and incident investigation. It also seeks comments on adding risk management program elements such as inherently safer technology, process safety metrics, automated monitoring of releases, emergency drills, stop-work authority and addressing facility location (siting) risks.

To view EPA’s RFI and provide public comment, visit http://bit.ly/EPA-RMP and http://bit.ly/RMPcomment.