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*********** IN THIS ISSUE ************

RMP Regulatory Update: EPA Moves to Implement RMP Changes
EPA Insider: Carole Macko Shares The Unexpected Benefits of a Public Meeting
Hot Topics: Changes to NFPA Standard for LPG Handling and Storage
Human Factors Focus: California Ordinance Mandates Written Program for Human Factors
Resources: Take the OSHA Exam For Process Safety Management Training
Chemical Safety Board Update: Y2K - What more is left?
Incident News: The Process Safety Incident Database Is Ready For A Test Drive
Events Update: The March AIChE Meeting Is Right Around The Corner

*********** STORY ABSTRACTS ************

RMP REGULATORY UPDATE
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detailed its plans to implement Congressional changes to its Risk Management Plan regulation during a November 5, 1999 meeting of the Clean Air Act Accident Prevention subcommittee on Capitol Hill. Read More on this story from AcuTech's Washington, D.C., office director who served as correspondent.

EPA INSIDER
Companies Discover Unexpected Benefits of Public Meeting
This month's Guest Column features a discussion by Carole Macko from the EPA. When President Clinton signed Public Law 106-40 in August, many businesses were skeptical of the benefits of holding a public meeting to talk about their Off-Site Consequence Analysis data. Now, many of those same businesses are finding that while attendance at the public meetings often has been sparse, the meetings are giving facility managers an opportunity for positive interaction with the community. Read the rest of the story by clicking on this link.

HOT TOPICS
Changes to NFPA Standard for LPG Handling and Storage
Congress directed EPA to delete propane and other flammable fuels from the RMP if they are used for fuel uses or retail sales. At a recent National Fire Protection Association committee meeting, EPA proposed changes to the standard covering most of the requirements of the RMP regulation. Click here to link to additional information on this issue.

HUMAN FACTORS FOCUS
California Ordinance Mandates Written Program for Human Factors
Refineries and chemical plants near San Francisco will be faced with developing detailed written plans for implementing Human Factors programs at their facilities in order to comply with a county ordinance. This ordinance could set a precedent at other local, state, or federal levels. We have reviewed the guidance being issued by the County Health Department. Read More on this emerging regulatory area.

RESOURCES
On Line OSHA Training
Check out the AcuSafe web page for improvements, changes, and additions. This month we feature the test given to OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers at the Process Safety Management training course conducted at the OSHA Training Institute in Des Plaines, Illinois. Check out our Direct Link to the 31K PDF file.

CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD UPDATE
Y2K - What More is Left?
While large industrial companies are generally believed to be prepared for Y2K, a recent federal government report and a Texas A&M University study cautioned that medium to small firms may have lots of work yet to do. You may be interested in what others are doing. Click on this link to read more about the final preparations and issues.

INCIDENT NEWS
The Process Safety Incident Database Is Ready For A Test Drive
At several recent process safety conferences, representatives involved with the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) have been reporting on the final stages of the Safety Incident Database. We have summarized what is going on and provided links to find out more. Read the full story.

EVENTS UPDATE
Process Risk Management Calendar Available
We've added the March AIChE meeting - with a special focus on the 34th Annual Loss Prevention Symposium. This meeting has a topic on the proper selection, design, installation, and maintenance of systems for overpressure protection from rupture disks to High Integrity Process Shutdown Systems (an emerging technology now allowed by the ASME code). Be sure to attend the Safety and Heath section dinner on Monday, March 6th.

A free calendar detailing important conferences, events, meetings, and regulatory deadlines is available at AcuSafe™. The calendar is updated regularly, so bookmark it for future reference - http://www.acusafe.com/Calendar/index.html. Our readers are encouraged to contribute other events of interest to Process Safety professionals.