Chemical Safety Board (CSB) 2012 - 2016 Strategic Plan

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released its 2012 - 2016 Strategic Plan. The new strategy updates the 2007 - 2012 CSB Strategic Plan, including the CSB's strategic goals, objectives, and associated measures for managing and evaluating agency operations.The final version of the plan features a "CSB Most Wanted Program" that serves to focus CSB outreach initiatives for key CSB recommendations.

The plan contains measurable objections and concentrates on three main goals:

1. Conduct incident investigations and safety studies concerning releases of hazardous chemical substances. This goal fulfills the core missions of the Board by ensuring that CSB selects and completes incident investigations that have the potential to generate recommendations with high preventative impact. It also directs the CSB to develop and complete safety studies with an emphasis on emerging safety issues.
2. Improve safety and environmental protection by ensuring that CSB recommendations are implemented and by broadly disseminating CSB findings through advocacy and outreach. CSB says its successful safety videos are an important component of its dissemination efforts.
3. Preserve the public trust by maintaining and improving organizational excellence. CSB endeavors to use best practice project management in all agency processes, including administration and service functions.

The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems. The Board also makes safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.


Caltha LLP provides specialized expertise to clients nationwide in the evaluation environmental rules, developing EHS compliance procedures, and preparing cost-effective EHS management programs.
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Security Vulnerability Assessments - Extension of Deadline

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the deadline for submission of the Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA), or for an Alternative Security Program (ASP) in lieu of an SVA, for "Tier 4" facilities. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 12, 2009.

In 2008 DHS assigned preliminary tier levels to chemical facilities considered a high security risk, ranging from highest risk at Tier 1 to lowest risk at Tier 4. Tier 4 facilities must perform and submit an SVA, but also have the option of submitting an ASP in lieu of an SVA. The deadline for this submittal is for Tier 4 facilities only. If a facility has already submitted its SVA or ASP, it does not need to take any further action at this time.

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Proposed Rules on Ammonium Nitrate Handling - DHS Security Requirements

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking comments on a recent amendment to the Homeland Security Act entitled "Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate". The amendment requires the DHS to ''regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate by an ammonium nitrate facility...to prevent the misappropriation or use of ammonium nitrate in an act of terrorism.''

Written comments must be submitted on or before December 29, 2008.

Ammonium nitrate is also regulated as a Section 313 Water Priority Chemical, and may have additional control and security requirements under the Clean Water Act [Read more about requirements for Section 313 chemicals]

Caltha LLP provides technical support to facilities required to meet hazardous material storage and reporting requirements.

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Impending Regulation of Ammonium Nitrate Handling by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking comments on a recent amendment to the Homeland Security Act entitled "Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate". The amendment requires the DHS to ''regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate by an ammonium nitrate facility...to prevent the misappropriation or use of ammonium nitrate in an act of terrorism.''

For further information go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-25821.htm

Written comments must be submitted on or before December 29, 2008

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website