California Labor, Environmental, and Community Organizations Send Letter in Opposition to the Proposed Amendments to Process Safety Management (PSM) Regulation
A group of California labor, environmental, and community organizations today sent a letter to the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) in opposition to the proposed amendments to the state’s landmark Process Safety Management (PSM) rules.
The group wrote:
“As the current federal administration seeks to roll-back essential environmental, community, and worker safety protections, it is critical that the CalEPA hold the line. This responsibility is particularly critical for the oil refining sector, which has a troubling history of catastrophic events in California. Most recently in February, an enormous fire at the PBF Martinez refinery burned for three days, released 500 pounds of sulphur dioxide into the community, injured six workers, and forced tens of thousands of local community members to shelter in place. Now is the time for us to consider actions that improve—not weaken—refinery safety in California.
Although the initiation of this rulemaking and the proposal of this language is required by a settlement agreement with the WSPA, a process which completely excluded impacted refinery workers and community organizations, the settlement does not require its final adoption.
We urge CalEPA to reject these amendments and work with stakeholders to preserve the intent and function of CalARP and PSM 5189.1 to effectively keep refinery workers and communities safe.”
Read the full letter at the link below.