ACHR NEWS’ Post

Get a handle on refrigerant requirements..

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 1 announced finalized amendments to its Risk Management Program (RMP), which includes a host of safety requirements for #ammonia (R717) refrigeration, among other industries using hazardous chemicals. The amendments, encapsulated in the “Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule,” include what the EPA called the “most protective safety provisions for chemical facilities in history, requiring stronger measures for prevention, preparedness, and public transparency.” It is designed “to further protect at-risk communities from chemical accidents, especially those located near facilities in industry sectors with high accident rates.” 🏭 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dgNbteTz #GoNatRefs #AmmoniaRefrigeration #Saftey #RiskManagement Michael S. Regan (EPA Administrator) Sign up to our newsletter for the latest Ammonia products and news. https://lnkd.in/edbcQ-vX

The US EPA’s reassessment of EtO’s toxicity and its 2023 proposed rules for handling and emissions of EtO have created greater need for reliable information to support the effective management of EtO. • Producers and users of EtO need to understand regulatory compliance requirements, the proposed updates on handling and disposal of EtO, the best available science on EtO toxicity, and the performance of their workplace and environmental controls. • Regulators need to understand the sources and pathways of total human exposure to EtO and the policy options for protection of workers and communities. • Communities need reliable information that supports informed perspectives on the benefits and risks to public health of EtO. This blog provides important public health information, focused on the ways people can be exposed to EtO and the magnitude of those exposures, to help these groups safely and effectively manage EtO. #EthyleneOxide #EtO #Safety #PublicHealth

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is urging chemical facilities to adopt remote isolation equipment to enhance safety and mitigate risks. Following recent investigations into catastrophic incidents, the CSB's latest study outlines critical recommendations for the EPA, OSHA, and the American Petroleum Institute. By implementing these measures, we can prevent hazardous substance releases, protect workers, and safeguard communities. #ChemicalProcessing #ChemicalPlants #Consulting #Scale-Up #Commercialization https://lnkd.in/gMUKU6rX

🌿 #TSCA and #Lead: Safeguarding Our Environment The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (#EPA), plays a vital role in protecting us from lead exposure. Here’s how: 👉 Scope of TSCA: ✅ TSCA addresses the production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals, including lead-based paint. ✅ It covers various contexts: paint, dust, soil, water, and waste. 👉 Key Authorities Under TSCA: ✅ Pre-Manufacture Notification (Section 5): Requires notification before manufacturing new chemical substances. ✅ Testing Requirements (Section 4): Ensures testing of chemicals when risks or exposures are of concern. ✅ Significant New Use Rules (SNURs, Section 5): Identifies significant new uses that could result in exposure to lead. ✅ TSCA Inventory (Section 8): Maintains a list of over 83,000 chemicals. ✅ Reporting and Record-Keeping (Section 8): Requires compliance by manufacturers, importers, and processors. ✅Risk Reporting (Section 8(e)): Mandates immediate reporting of substantial health or environmental risks related to lead. 👉 Enforcement and Compliance: ✅ EPA monitors compliance through inspections and investigations. ✅ TSCA ensures lead safety across industries and protects our health and environment. Remember, TSCA stands as our shield against lead’s hidden threats. 🏠💧 Feel free to share this educational snippet with others! 🌟 #EnvironmentalProtection #LeadSafety #HealthAndSafety #CleanEnvironment #ExceptionalInspectionServices #EnvironmentalServices #EIS

🚰💧 "One thing I have often spoken of is the watch from the industrial hygiene perspective or the exposure scientist perspective to be in a proactive stance." Imagine spotting a problem before it even begins! That's the power of being proactive with water quality management. Have you ever faced an issue that could have been avoided with just a little foresight? Share your stories with me! https://lnkd.in/ep9C4eEP ⏳🔍 #ProactiveChoices #WaterQualityMatters #ExposureScientist #waterquality #gsa #watertesting

EPA Finalizes Sweeping New Safety Standards for Chemical Accidents   On March 1, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted finalized amendments to the Clean Air Act Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule, which is aimed at protecting at-risk communities from chemical accidents.    The Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule requires industrial facilities, particularly those in sectors with high accident rates, to comply with new, more stringent requirements for accident prevention, response, and public disclosure of information.   Read the full article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gUWRUaXk   ChlorTainer's innovative secondary containment technology helps prevent chemical accidents before they occur. Through ChlorTainer's proactive approach to chemical process safety, facilities can achieve compliance with new EPA regulations and standards. Learn how ChlorTainer can help prevent the risk of accidental chemical release: https://lnkd.in/gn9USyc9   When it comes to chemical safety, be Proactive, Not Reactive!   Follow #ChlorTainer for more Water Industry and Chemical Industry content.    #EPA #PlantOperator #Sustainable #ChemicalSafety #SafetyFirst

🎯 Environmental Monitoring Program As internal auditors in our various Food Industries, how are you ensuring that your facility is audit ready? One thing is to have a program and another is to ensure it is robust and strategic enough. Review your program according to the latest upgrade FSSC 22000 version 6 Use this breakdown as a guide that could help you in further assessments: 1️⃣ Competency and Team Verification of Team Competencies: Confirm if your team members have relevant qualifications, training records, or certifications proving their competencies in environmental monitoring and risk assessment. Roles and Responsibilities: Check if clear roles and responsibilities are defined for the environmental monitoring program within the team. 2️⃣ Development and Documentation of the Program Risk Assessment Documentation: Ensure the risk assessment is thorough, up-to-date, and considers relevant microorganisms (pathogens, spoilage organisms and indicative organisms) , physical, and chemical risks. Program Documentation: Verify if the environmental monitoring program is well documented, including methodologies, rationale for the chosen approach, and how the program fits within the broader food safety management system (FSMS). 3️⃣ Sampling Points and Frequency Sampling Points Justification: Ensure sampling points are justified with risk assessment findings and clearly marked on a site map or within documentation. Review of Sampling Frequency: Confirm that sampling frequency is adequate, based on risk and historical data, and adjustments are made when necessary. Verification and Review Alignment with ISO 22000:2018 Clause 8.8: Check for a verification system that complies with the requirements of ISO 22000, focusing on validation, verification, and improvement of the FSMS. Program Review: Confirm that the program is reviewed at planned intervals (annually)or when there is change, and the review frequency is consistent with the level of risk identified. 4️⃣ Integration into the FSMS Documentation and Records: Check for proper documentation and record-keeping practices that support the environmental monitoring program. Awareness and Training: Verify if employees are aware of their roles within the environmental monitoring program and if relevant training has been provided and recorded. Internal Audits and Management Reviews: Ensure internal audits and management reviews include the environmental monitoring program, focusing on effectiveness, improvement opportunities, and integration into the FSMS. #fssc22000 #foodsafety #auditing #foodandbeverageindustry #fsms #inspection #compliance

Keeping up with best practices to ensure patient safety in your pharmacy is getting easier with great content like this from CriticalPoint. Thanks, Adam West, for outlining these tips! 

EPA Finalizes Sweeping New Safety Standards for Chemical Accidents   On March 1, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted finalized amendments to the Clean Air Act Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule, which is aimed at protecting at-risk communities from chemical accidents.    The Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule requires industrial facilities, particularly those in sectors with high accident rates, to comply with new, more stringent requirements for accident prevention, response, and public disclosure of information.   Read the full article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gUWRUaXk   ChlorTainer's innovative secondary containment technology helps prevent chemical accidents before they occur. Through ChlorTainer's proactive approach to chemical process safety, facilities can achieve compliance with new EPA regulations and standards. Learn how ChlorTainer can help prevent the risk of accidental chemical release: https://lnkd.in/gn9USyc9   When it comes to chemical safety, be Proactive, Not Reactive!   Follow #ChlorTainer for more Water Industry and Chemical Industry content.    #EPA #PlantOperator #Sustainable #ChemicalSafety #SafetyFirst