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Voluntary Initiatives Are Under Way at Chemical Facilities but the Extent of Security Preparedness Is Unknown
A
summary of the GAO report released this week
Chemical facilities may be attractive targets for terrorists intent on causing economic harm and loss of life. Many facilities exist in populated areas where a chemical release could threaten thousands. EPA reports that 123 chemical facilities located throughout the nation have toxic “worst-case” scenarios where more than a million people in the surrounding area could be at risk of exposure to a cloud of toxic gas if a release occurred. To date, no one has comprehensively assessed the security of chemical facilities. No federal laws explicitly require that chemical facilities assess vulnerabilities or take security actions to safeguard their facilities from attack. However, a number of federal laws impose safety requirements on facilities that may help mitigate the effects of a terrorist-caused chemical release. EPA believes that the Clean Air Act could be interpreted to provide authority to require chemical facilities to assess their vulnerabilities and to make security enhancements that protect against attacks. However, EPA has not attempted to use these Clean Air Act provisions because of concerns that this interpretation would pose significant litigation risk and has concluded that chemical facility security would be more effectively addressed by passage of specific legislation. The federal government has not comprehensively assessed the chemical industry’s vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks. EPA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice have taken preliminary steps to assist the industry in its preparedness efforts, but no agency monitors or documents the extent to which chemical facilities have implemented security measures. Consequently, federal, state, and local entities lack comprehensive information on the vulnerabilities facing the industry. To its credit, the chemical industry, led by its industry associations, has undertaken a number of voluntary initiatives to address security at facilities. For example, the American Chemistry Council, whose members own or operate 1,000, or about 7 percent, of the facilities subject to Clean Air Act risk management plan provisions, requires its members to conduct vulnerability assessments and implement security improvements. The industry faces a number of challenges in preparing facilities against attacks, including ensuring that all chemical facilities address security concerns. Despite the industry’s voluntary efforts, the extent of security preparedness at U.S. chemical facilities is unknown. Finally, both the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of EPA have stated that voluntary efforts alone are not sufficient to assure the public of industry’s preparedness.
Why the GAO did this study - The events of September 11, 2001,triggered a national re-examination of the security of thousands of industrial facilities that use or store hazardous chemicals in quantities that could potentially put large numbers of Americans at risk of serious injury or death in the event of a terrorist-caused chemical release. GAO was asked to examine (1) available information on the threats and risks from terrorism faced by U.S. chemical facilities; (2) federal requirements for security preparedness and safety at facilities; (3) actions taken by federal agencies to assess the vulnerability of the industry; and (4) voluntary actions the chemical industry has taken to address
security preparedness, and the challenges it faces in protecting its assets and operations.
What the GAO recommends- This report recommends that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly develop a security strategy that is both practical and cost effective, which includes assessing vulnerabilities and enhancing security preparedness. The Departments of Homeland Security and Justice and EPA generally agreed with the report’s findings and conclusions and were supportive of efforts to pursue chemical security legislation.
VOLUNTARY
SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
STANDARD
OUTLINE
The
American National Standards Institute Z10 Committee will meet in Alexandria,
Va., May 17-18 to consider the makeup of a voluntary safety and health
"management systems" standard similar to ISO quality and
environmental standards. The committee began its work earlier this year.
Here
are some of the building blocks of a possible safety and health program
standard:
-
Management
commitment and resources
-
Employee
participation
-
Health
and safety policy
-
Goals
and objectives
-
Baseline
evaluation and hazard/risk assessment
-
Management
system manual and procedures
-
Training
-
Hazard
control system
-
Preventive
and corrective action system
-
Communication
-
Record
management
-
Auditing
and self-inspection
-
Incident
investigation and root cause analysis
-
Medical
program and surveillance
-
Processes
for continual improvement and integration
These
functions of a program were taken from the American Industrial Hygiene
Association’s "Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Performance Measurement," developed in 1999. To comply with a voluntary
ANSI health and safety standard, employers would have to document and verify
that they have systems in place to address each of these key attributes. Source:
“Industrial Safety and Hygiene News” – May 4, 2001
GRAIN INDUSTRY SAFER UNDER OSHA STANDARD
WASHINGTON -- The grain industry is a safer place to work since OSHA's Grain Handling Facilities Standard went into effect, according to a regulatory review of the standard. Since the standard was promulgated in 1987, there were 70% fewer fatalities and 55% fewer injuries from grain explosions, and the number of grain suffocations went down 44%. The review also found that implementation of the standard has not had a negative effect on the industry generally or on small businesses within the industry. "It is important that we regularly review our standards," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "In this case the review showed that the standard is helping to save lives and has not had a negative effect on the industry. At the same time, the review pointed out some particular clarifications and changes that we can make to assist in compliance with the standard." OSHA conducted its regulatory review of the Grain Handling Facilities Standard, under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Section 5 of Executive Order 12866, to determine if the standard is needed and if it should be amended. OSHA found that the standard has not had a negative impact on small businesses; the standard saves lives; and no major changes have occurred in technological, economic, or other factors that warrant a substantial revision of the standard. Based on comments received during the review, OSHA will issue clarifications and consider possible improvements to the Grain Handling Facilities Standard, including whether the confined space requirements of the Grain Handling Standard should apply to all areas of grain storage facilities currently covered by the general Confined Spaces Standard. The agency will also consider updating references to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements that are in the Grain Handling Facilities Standard. OSHA's Grain Handling Facilities Standard focuses on requirements for controlling grain fires, grain dust explosions, and hazards associated with entry into bins, silos, and tanks. Grain mills and grain elevators are the major sectors affected by the standard. OSHA is dedicated to assuring worker safety and health. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit
www.osha.gov.
Crystalline Silica Health Hazard Cards Published
Approximately
two million U.S. workers are exposed to the dangerous and sometimes deadly
effects of silica dust exposure. To help workers protect themselves against
such exposure, OSHA has created Crystalline Silica Exposure health
hazard information cards for both general
industry and construction.
The pocket-sized cards identify symptoms of silicosis and the most common
causes of occupational exposure, as well as how to protect against exposure to
the dust. Respirators and other personal protective equipment are also
discussed. (The cards are also available via OSHA's Spanish
publications page).
OSHA Small Business Outreach Seminars
On Fall Hazards and Ladder
Safety To Be Offered
BUFFALO,
N.Y. -- Helping small Upstate New York employers ensure the safety of their employees around fall hazards and while using ladders is the goal of seminars being offered by the Buffalo office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in conjunction with area organizations and colleges. The same seminar, on the topics of fall hazards and ladder safety, is being offered at six different locations during April as follows:
April 3, 2003
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
@ Erie Community College South Campus, Orchard Park, NY
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. @ NCCC Corporate Training Center, Lockport, NY
April 10, 2003
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
@ Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
@ Jamestown Community College, Olean, NY
April 17, 2003
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
@ Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
@ SUNY Brockport MetroCenter, Rochester, NY
"Protecting employees from fall hazards is a vital concern, since falls are a leading cause of injury and death in many industries," said Art Dube, OSHA's Buffalo area director. "This seminar will explain how a small business owner can take simple steps to ensure that employees are protected from fall hazards and dangerous ladder use." The session is part of the OSHA Small Business Seminar Series covering a variety of topics that the federal agency will offer this year to assist small Upstate New York employers in complying with workplace safety and health standards. To register for one of the April seminars, and to obtain more information, contact Gordon DeLeys at the Buffalo OSHA Area Office at 716-684-3891, Ext. 244 or via e-mail at gordon.deleys@osha.gov. Co-sponsors with OSHA are: the New York State Department of Labor On-site Consultation Service, the OSHA Education Center at Niagara County Community College's Corporate Training Center, Jamestown Community College, the Jamestown Small Business Development Center, the Manufacturing Association of the Greater Jamestown Area, Erie Community College Department of Workforce Development, the Niagara Community College Small Business Development Center and the SUNY College at Buffalo State Small Business Development Center, the Greater Olean Chamber of Commerce, SUNY College at Brockport Small Business Development Center, Genesee Community College, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Business Alliance and the National Safety Council.
Interim
Information and Recommendations
for
Health Care Providers for SARS
Download
PDF version formatted for print (103 KB/2 pages) The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health
Organization have received reports of patients with severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) from Canada, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of
China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The cause of
these illnesses is unknown and is being investigated. Early manifestations in
these patients have included influenza-like symptoms such as fever, myalgias,
headache, sore throat, dry cough , shortness of breath, or difficulty
breathing. In some cases these symptoms are followed by hypoxia, pneumonia,
and occasionally acute respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation
and death. Laboratory findings may include thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.
Some close contacts, including healthcare workers, have developed similar
illnesses. In response to these developments, CDC is initiating surveillance
for cases of SARS among recent travelers or their close contacts.
NIOSH's
Emergency Response Resource Page
Here's
yet another well kept secret from NIOSH. If you are an emergency
responder at your plant or in your community, this NIOSH resource is a MUST
HAVE. Not only is it one of the very best source for chemical
information, it is FREE! So check out NIOSH's
Emergency Response Resource Page, they have almost everything one would
need to educate themselves to safely respond to all types of chemical
emergencies, including Chemical Agent incidents, which I am sure is on all our
minds regardless of where you are on this planet.
Federal
Government Implements
Operation
Liberty Shield
Operation
LIBERTY
SHIELD is a comprehensive national plan designed to increase protections
for America's citizens and infrastructure while maintaining the free flow of
goods and people across our border with minimal disruption to our economy and
way of life. Operation LIBERTY SHIELD is a multi-department, multi-agency,
national team effort. It includes: Increased security at borders, Stronger
transportation protections, Ongoing measures to disrupt threats against our
nation, Greater protections for critical infrastructure and key assets,
Increased public health preparedness, Federal response resources positioned
and ready. Click on the above link for more info on this topic.
Hazmat
Transportation Security Awareness
Training
on CD-ROM
Available
from DOT RSPA at no charge in limited quantities. Publication
orders may be placed on-line through RSPA's e-hazmat site: http://diy.dot.gov/hazmat.
Orders may also be processed by FAX (202) 366-7342, telephone (800) 467-4922 X
3, or (202) 366-2301 or mail in a request to USDOT/RSPA/DHM-50, 400 Seventh
St., SW, Washington, DC 20590. Also, if you ship or receive Hazardous
Materials at your business or place of work and you are looking for some GREAT
resources on how to conduct an assessment and make improvements just visit The
US Department of Transportation's Hazardous
Materials Transportation (HMT) Security page. There you
will find all that you need to help improve the security and safety of your
hazardous materials. On a side note, if you need help with this type of
concern, give me a call. I just love this kind of stuff!
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