A chance to hear the reasoning/rationale behind Cal/OSHA’s PROPOSED rules for “PSM @ Refineries”

Last week the CSB announce a public meeting regarding the refinery accident in CA back in February.  In their announcement the CSB informed us that following the staff presentation, the Board will hear an update on the new process safety management reforms in California from a panel of experts.  I have written about these PROPOSED changes to Cal/OSHA’s PSM standard for Refineries and it is a significant leap in process safety management; so significant I am not quite sure how it can/will be enforced.  This meeting will be webcast live and without charge. Details about the webcast will be available at www.csb.gov closer to the time of the meeting.  I know I will be watching and I would suggest that anyone who is following the recent changes to 29 CFR 1910.119 and 40 CFR Part 68 may want to consider watching, as these changes being proposed in CA are the very ones that CSB has been recommending for many years.  This MAY BE a peek at what is to come with PSM/RMP nationwide.  I am NOT trying to scare anyone, just know that Cal/OSHA is often on the front lines of safety standards and in my opinion, the state is one that is not bashful about implementing the most stringent S&H standards as sort of a “trial run” to see if Federal OSHA can implement on a broader scale.  Here are my articles about the Cal/OSHA revisions for refineries.

1. CalARP looking to add a PROGRAM 4 for Refineries
2. CalARP Regulation DRAFT PROPOSED Amendments for Petroleum Refineries Emergency Response
3. DIR Releases Status Report on Process Safety Management Regulatory Oversight of California’s Petroleum Refineries
4. CAL OSHA’s PROPOSED PSM Standard for Refineries
5. Final Refinery Safety Report Calls for Greater Collaboration and Oversight to Protect the Public and Employees (CAL-OSHA)
6. CSB Draft Report Proposes Overhaul of Refinery Industry Regulatory System in CA and Urges Adoption of the “Safety Case Regime” to Prevent Major Chemical Accidents
7. Draft Report of the Interagency Working Group on Refinery Safety – Improving Public and Worker Safety at Oil Refineries