New Jersey orders procedures to help prevent chemical accidents

Trenton, NJ— Trenton-Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell announced new measures to include workers in inspections at industrial sites covered by New Jersey’s Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act (TCPA) to provide greater protection for residents living nearby.

“Greater participation by workers to identify and resolve potential threats involving the use of hazardous chemicals in the industrial process will make neighborhoods safer and is good business policy,” said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey.

Commissioner Campbell signed an administrative order that establishes procedures for employees and their representatives to participate in DEP inspections, investigations or audits of facilities regulated by TCPA and the law’s associated rules and regulations.

“New Jersey’s newly adopted worker participation standard is a first-in-the-nation for the inspection of facilities that handle extraordinary hazardous substances,” said Commissioner Campbell.

Under the order, DEP seeks to maximize opportunities for employees of these facilities and operations to participate in inspections conducted under TCPA. These inspections will help identify environmental health and public safety hazards and potential sources of toxic releases that include, but are not limited to, such hazards resulting from an intentional terrorist attack.

Currently, 101 facilities fall under the requirements of the TCPA program, which mandates they implement risk management programs. These companies represent industries such as water treatment plants, chemical manufacturers, food manufacturers and processors, pharmaceutical companies, refineries and warehouses.

In addition, TCPA rules mandate that all facilities regulated under the program evaluate state of the art technologies every five years to reduce the risk of an accident and implement this technology if cost effective. The state of the art standard also applies for new processes when a company expands or changes operations.