Chemical Accident Prevention
Introduction
The North Carolina Chemical Accident Prevention Program focuses on facilities with large quantities of hazardous chemicals to prevent catastrophic chemical accidents, reduce risk to communities, and minimize the consequences of releases that do occur. This is accomplished by evaluating chemical hazards, expanding industry accident prevention programs, and coordinating facility and community emergency response programs.
Mission
To promote measures to prevent accidental chemical releases and reduce the impact of releases to the environment and public health through safety programs, emergency preparedness and public access to chemical information.
Background
Congress established provisions in Section 112(r) of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments for the prevention of accidental chemical releases. As mandated, EPA published its final regulation under Title 40 Part 68 of the Code of Federal Regulations, titled "Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions." The North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ) incorporated the federal regulation as amended under 15A NCAC 2D. 2100, "Risk Management Program."
This regulation mandates that facilities with more than a threshold quantity of a regulated substance in a single process must develop a Risk Management Program that includes a hazard assessment, an accident prevention program and an emergency response program. It also requires that owners or operators of subject facilities submit a summary of their program called a risk management plan (RMP), detailing these program elements to the Environmental Protection Agency.
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
The Division of Air Quality implements the program through a multi-agency effort. In order to support the mission of the program, Memorandum of Agreements (MOA’s) have been established with partner agencies. The purpose of the MOA’s is to set forth the principles of the working relationship between agencies.
- MOA with the Division of Emergency Management
- MOA with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health
PROGRAM SUMMARY REPORTS
- North Carolina Federal Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report
- North Carolina Federal Fiscal Year 2013 Annual Report
- North Carolina Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report
- North Carolina Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report
- North Carolina Federal Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Report
RULES/REGULATIONS
- Clean Air Act
- 40 CFR Part 68, Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions
- 15A NCAC 2D .2100, Risk Management Program
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
- EPA’s Risk Management Plan Rule
- EPA’s List of Lists: A searchable database designed to help companies that handle hazardous chemicals to determine reporting requirements by chemical.
- Chemical Accidental Release Prevention Program Brochure
- Risk Management Program Guidance for Retail Agricultural Facilities
Regulatory Requirements
North Carolina 112(r) Program
| For more information...contact: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michael Reid 112(r) Program Coordinator 919-707-8443 E-mail: Mike.Reid@ncdenr.gov |