In response to Executive Order 13650, which requires OSHA and other federal agencies to improve the safety and security of chemical agents, OSHA has proposed several major changes to the process safety management standard. These proposed changes are currently in a public comment stage, which means the public has 90 days to register a comment. So if your company is in an industry which will be affected by the changes, it is imperative that you keep track of how these changes will impact your company.

The proposed changes include eliminating the process safety management standard exemption for atmospheric storage tanks and oil and gas-well drilling and servicing. The changes would also reinstitute enforcement of oil and gas production facilities and expand coverage for reactive hazards. The changes would add additional chemicals to the list of highly hazardous chemicals and revise and reevaluate equipment and some processes currently required for process safety management.

There are also a number of rules changes surrounding clarification of current rules and terms on file. OSHA plans to define “recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices,” to make clear Paragraph (I) of the process safety management standard, and to update the audit requirements of part (o) of the Process Safety Management standard.

These are just a few of the proposals recently made by OSHA. Employers are currently being asked for comments on the proposed changes, so if you plan to comment, do so before the comment period ends.

If you have any questions on these proposed changes and how they might impact your business, please contact us or leave a comment.