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EPA Risk Management Plans
Water & Wastewater
Facilities Subject to New EPA Rules for Hazardous
Chemicals
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Chemicals are a part of the daily
operations of water and wastewater treatment
facilities. Handling chemicals properly and reducing
risk is important to protect human and environmental
health. Some chemicals (like chlorine or sulfur
dioxide) are extremely hazardous and must be handled
accordingly. If you store, or handle extremely
hazardous substances, your facility may be subject to
new EPA rules concerning those products
Under a new EPA chemical accident
prevention rule, water and wastewater systems may
have to implement a risk management program and file
a risk management plan (RMP) with US EPA by June
21, 1999. The risk management program rule
(also known as Clean Air Act Section 112 r, the RMP
Rule) is designed to prevent serious chemical
accidents that could affect public and environmental
health. The rule is also intended to improve
emergency response in regards to accidents that may
occur.
If you store or handle more than 2500
Lbs. of chlorine, you are most likely subject to the
new rules. Other threshold quantities include;
Sulfur Dioxide - 5,000Lbs.
Chlorine Dioxide - 1,000Lbs.
Anhydrous Ammonia - 10,000 Lbs.
A
complete list of regulated substances and their
thresholds is available from US EPA.
This new rule requires covered
facilities to develop and implement an integrated
system to identify hazards and manage risks. Elements
of this system may include items or actions such as;
* Analysis of worst case Scenario
* 5 Year History of Serious Accidents
* Coordination with Local Emergency Responders
* Identification of Hazards
* Written Standard Operating Procedures
* Training
* Maintenance
* Accident Investigation
* Submit a Risk Management Plan to EPA
The risk management plant you submit
to EPA will summarize your program and will be made
available to the public.
Implementation of risk management
plans can help prevent accidents and improve the
efficiency of your operation by reducing equipment
breakdowns.
For More information,
Visit the EPA Web Site for RMPs
or contact
US EPA Region III
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
(800) 438-2474
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