Chilworth Technology Inc. expects increased scrutiny including targeted OSHA inspections at the nation’s 13,000+ chemical facilities in light of the April ammonium nitrate explosion in West, TX that killed 15 people and injured 200 more, and the August 1 presidential executive order to improve safety at chemical facilities nationwide.
“We expect a greater number of OSHA inspections as the new presidential order is implemented,” said Vahid Ebadat, CEO of Chilworth North America. “In a facility handling or storing reactive chemicals, the population at risk often extends beyond the walls of the facility and includes emergency responders and the surrounding community. The Texas explosion was a stark reminder that the handling and storage of reactive chemicals presents serious risks that are not always properly addressed.”
Chilworth chemical assessment services identify and assess a chemical facility’s handling and storage procedures, emergency preparedness plans, and compliance with applicable Federal and other regulations. Chilworth process safety services routinely help US and multinational Fortune 500 and smaller companies to comply with oversight of hazardous chemicals. Services identify the reactive chemical hazards and their safe handling, processing, packaging, transport, and storage.
In early August, the White House issued an executive order to improve safety at chemical facilities nationwide. The executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security, the EPA and DOL to establish a Chemical Facility Safety and Security Working Group to improve coordination among federal, state and local agencies, to review the effectiveness of chemical safety programs and to develop regulatory and legislative solutions. It also calls for the revision and strengthening of EPA’s Risk Management Program and OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard.
For more information, visit www.chilworth.com.
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