National Emphasis Programs - Preparation, Reviews, Outcomes & Challenges

OSHA began a small-scale “dust” NEP in March, 2007. OSHA issued a directive and began a pilot Chemicals National Emphasis Program (NEP) in Regions I, VII, and X on July 27, 2009. These NEPs will result in either inspections or increased Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) emphases for all chemical manufacturing and other facilities in the United States over the next several years. This session is dedicated to preparing facilities for these new NEPs. This session welcomes papers on topics including: the OSHA Dust/Chemicals NEPs and directives, learning’s from the Refinery NEP, results of Dust NEP inspections, learnings from VPP PSM supplements and audits, OSHA adopted key recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), preparation for Dust/Chemicals NEP inspections, and similar topics.