EPA's proposed risk management rule would affect 140,000 facilities

EPA in October issued a proposed rule on risk management programs for chemical accidental release prevention as required under the CAA Amendments of 1990. The rule would apply to an estimated 140,000 facilities nationwide that handle regulated substances in quantities exceeding specified thresholds. The proposed list of 100 toxic, and 62 flammable and explosive substances and their thresholds was published in January 1993. Under the CAA Amendments, Congress mandated risk management plans to detect and prevent or minimize accidental releases of regulated substances, and to provide prompt emergency response to such releases. The law requires EPA to include anhydrous ammonia and 15 other toxic chemicals on the list of regulated substances. Congress specified that risk management plans prepared and implemented under the statute must include: a hazard assessment to evaluate the potential effects of an accidental release of any regulated substance; a program to prevent accidental releases, including safety precautions and maintenance, monitoring and employee training; and a program specifying emergency response actions to be taken if an accidental release occurs.