As a result of perceived poor industry process safety performance over the past decade, and due to recent notable accidents (West, TX and Richmond, CA), the White House issued Executive Order 13650 - Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security on August 1, 2013. The EO set up an OSHA/EPA/DHS Working Group to develop action plans over the next six months.

OSHA has initiated a new Process Safety Management (PSM) rulemaking effort, starting with a Request for Information (RFI) published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2013. This RFI is requesting input from all stakeholders on ideas to improve the PSM standard.

ABS Group has a number of resources available on this executive order and possible PSM changes, including:

1. Dedicated webpage with an overview of the topic:  www.absconsulting.com/changes-to-psm-standard.cfm
2. LinkedIn Rulemaking Group: www.linkedin.com/groups/OSHA-PSM-EPA-RMP-Rulemaking-6576691
3. Complimentary Webinar Series: http://www.absconsulting.com/webinars/eo-13650-webinar-series.cfm

We have just launched a webinar series dedicated to this topic, and, we will hold a second introductory presentation of Executive Order 13650 for those who missed it last month. This webinar will also overview OSHA’s new PSM Request for Information (RFI), which kicks off its rulemaking effort to modernize the PSM Standard (29 CFR 1910.119), published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2013.

Check here for more topics in the series, including these upcoming webinars. Click to register:

Strategies for Participating in the EO 13650 and PSM RFI Process
January 14, 2014, 10 am CST

Eliminating the PSM Exemptions
January 16, 2014, 10 am CST

Addressing Reactive Chemicals and HHC List Update
January 28, 2014, 10 am CST

New PSM Elements: Which Ones and What Requirements
January 30, 2014, 10 am CST

Defining RAGAGEP and Expanding the MI Element to Address Safety-Critical Equipment
February 4, 2014, 10 am CST

Requiring Independent Third-Party Audits
February 11, 2014, 10 am CST

Other Potential PSM Modernization Issues
February 18, 2014, 10 am CST

Submitting Effective Comments to the OSHA's PSM RFI Rulemaking Docket
February 25, 2014, 10 am CST

EO 13650 Listening Sessions: Summary and Update
March 4, 2014, 10 am CST

Potential RMP Rule Changes
March 11, 2014, 10 am CDT

Potential CFATS Rule Changes
March 19, 2014, 10 am CDT

Summary of OSHA's PSM RFI Comments
March 26, 2014, 10 am CDT

I encourage ALL stakeholders to take advantage of these resources and use the opportunity to get ENGAGED in the EO and OSHA PSM RFI process and make your voice heard so we can help improve major accident prevention and ensure future process safety performance in the most effective way.