Update: EPA actions—chemical safety and security Executive Order. Issue 2 (23rd September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jennings, Kim; Matthiessen, Craig
• Is Part Of: Process safety progress. Volume 34:Issue 2(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 198
• Publication Date: 2014-09-23
• Subjects: Chemical plants -- Management -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/prs.11707
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-8527

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>On August 1, 2013, the President signed Executive Order (EO) 13650 designed to improve the safety and security of chemical facilities and reduce the risks of hazardous chemicals to workers and communities. The Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security EO, triggered by incidents such as the devastating explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas in April, 2013, directed the Federal Government to: <list id="prs11707-list-0001" list-type="bullet"><list-item id="prs11707-li-0001"><p><italic>Improve operational coordination with state and local partners</italic>;</p></list-item><list-item id="prs11707-li-0002"><p><italic>Enhance Federal agency coordination and information sharing</italic>;</p></list-item><list-item id="prs11707-li-0003"><p><italic>Modernize policies, regulations</italic>, <italic>and standards; and</italic></p></list-item><list-item id="prs11707-li-0004"><p><italic>Work with stakeholders to identify best practices</italic>.</p></list-item></list></p> <p>Considerable work was devoted to these issues over a 10‐month period and on June 6, 2014, the final report, "Executive Order 13650: Actions to Improve Chemical Facility Safety and Security – A Shared Commitment. Report for the President" was released to the public. The report highlights current activities to improve chemical safety and security and provides a plan for moving forward in five thematic areas: <list id="prs11707-list-0002" list-type="bullet"><list-item id="prs11707-li-0005"><p><italic>Strengthening community planning and preparedness</italic>;</p></list-item><list-item id="prs11707-li-0006"><p><italic>Enhancing Federal operations and coordination</italic>;</p></list-item><list-item id="prs11707-li-0007"><p><italic>Improving data management</italic>;</p></list-item><list-item id="prs11707-li-0008"><p><italic>Modernizing policies and regulations</italic>; <italic>and</italic></p></list-item><list-item id="prs11707-li-0009"><p><italic>Incorporating stakeholder feedback and developing best practices</italic>.</p></list-item></list></p> <p>This article provides a brief update on current and future activities at the US Environmental Protection Agency under this EO Report to the President. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Process Saf Prog 34: 196–198, 2015</p> </abstract>