(43q) Process Safety Challenges in the Hazardous Waste Industry

The OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) standard 29 CFR 1910.119 was promulgated in 1992 to prevent the release of highly hazardous chemicals (HHCs) following a series of tragic industrial accidents.  During the last 20 years, the emphasis of this standard has primarily been focused on refineries, chemical plants, and similar processes.  However, companies in the Hazardous Waste Industry also handle HHCs and face a special set of challenges as they strive to be PSM compliant in their operations. 

Hazardous Waste Industry facilities tend to be significantly smaller than typical petrochemical, chemical and pharmaceutical plants.  They often have fewer resources dedicated to their operations and, as a result, generally make slower progress in advancing their PSM programs.  Reasons for these tendencies will be discussed, as will initiatives which are being taken to strengthen their programs.