by Jbs062310 g3 — June 30, 2010—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released interim guidance that would provide greater transparency in the agency’s chemical safety inspections process. Under the interim guidance, EPA inspectors will offer employees and employee representatives the opportunity to participate in chemical safety inspections.
In addition, EPA will request that state and local agencies adopt similar procedures under the Risk Management Program. EPA believes that close involvement of employees and employee representatives in inspections is effective and better protects workers and the adjacent communities.
The interim guidance pertains to inspections conducted by EPA under the agency’s Risk Management Program (RMP). Through this program, EPA seeks to reduce the risks to surrounding communities that arise from the management, use or storage of certain hazardous chemicals.
Owners and operators of covered facilities must develop a risk management plan, which includes facility plans for the prevention and response to chemical accidents. EPA expects to issue final guidance on participation of employees and employee representative in RMP inspections later in 2010.
