OSHA implements program to eliminate highly hazardous chemicals

04-Jul-07

- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a directive implementing a National Emphasis Program to help eliminate workplace hazards associated with the release of highly hazardous chemicals at petroleum refineries. Initiation of this program, is a positive step to maximize the protection of employees and eliminate workplace hazards at petroleum refineries. However, the program is just one of multiple significant enforcement projects in the oil, gas and refining industries on which OSHA is working. Under this program, OSHA will conduct 81 inspections over the next two years. OSHA also has two Regional Emphasis Programs operating in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico that focus on reducing workplace injuries and fatalities in the oil and gas well drilling, and petrochemical industries. Process Safety Management has been an OSHA priority for many years, and a number of emphasis programs have evolved as a result of this standard.