OSHA Releases Background Materials for Potential Rulemaking Activity on Process Safety Management (PSM)

In response to Executive Order 13650, Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security, OSHA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential issues for revising its PSM and related standards, with the goal of preventing major chemical accidents, in the wake of the West, TX fertilizer explosion of April 2013.

Following up on the RFI and in accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA), a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel is to convene so that small businesses expected to be significantly affected by OSHA’s rulemaking can provide input early in the process, before the proposed rules are published. Background and supporting materials provided to small entity representatives (SERs) working with the panel are now available to the public in the rulemaking docket.

Limited time is left for small business to express interest in participating in the SBREFA process for PSM. To determine if you may qualify, please check the Small Business Administration (SBA) Table of Small Business Size Standards. If you or a colleague are potentially interested in serving as an SER, please immediately contact Marie Gargas, SPI, for details.

Discussion of the docket materials is on the agenda for the EHS+ Committee meeting on June 7-8. SPI members can register here.

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Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly one million American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, industry promotion and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services. Find SPI online at www.plasticsindustry.org and www.inthehopper.org.

"From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry," said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. "Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors."