Why Is a Hazard Assessment Needed?
The Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990, Section 112(r), required the EPA to issue regulations and guidance to prevent accidents and releases at facilities producing, handling, processing, distributing, or storing certain chemicals. The Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions of Section 112(r) require these facilities to develop, implement and sustain a risk management plan (RMP).
Each facility’s program should address hazard assessments that detail the potential effects of an accidental release, an accident history of the last five years, and an evaluation of the worst-case and alternative accidental releases.