Talk:Process Safety Management (United States)

Broader safety terms

I realized that this was related to the "toxic" and "accidental release" part of toxic, infectious or radiological compounds, a military term, and am exploring, at least, Related Articles. Discussions with Milt Beychok and Dave MacQuigg suggest to me that perhaps a general "safety" article may complement CZ: Emergency management Subgroup.

Would this regulation apply to a well blowout or oil spill within US jurisdiction? Howard C. Berkowitz 14:43, 28 June 2010 (UTC)

Howard, the OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations applies only to facilities that store, handle/process certain amounts of hazardous chemicals as listed in the regulation. I very much doubt that the PSM regulations apply to well blowouts or oil spills.

I have no knowledge as to what safety regulations do apply to oil wells. However, facilities such as refineries, gas processing plants, chemical/petrochemical plants, power plants, etc. are required to develop environmental impact studies as per federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. In some cases, Hazardous Operation Studies (HAZOPS) are also required by federal law. The U.S. EPA also requires (in some cases) Risk Management Plans (RMPs). However, I don't know if NEPA, HAZOPS or RMP regulations apply to oil wells.

As an aside, we could sure use some articles on NEPA, HAZOPS and RMPs ... but it is the same old story that we just don't have enough knowledgeable active authors and editors. Wikipedia has articles on all of those regulations. Milton Beychok 16:15, 28 June 2010 (UTC)