Risks of Improper Storage of Hazardous Chemicals at Chemical Warehouses and Distribution Facilities

Some chemical warehouse and distribution facilities may be failing to properly manage hazardous chemicals as required by federal law. In the past several years, the EPA has visited numerous chemical warehouses and distribution facilities (i.e., companies that process, formulate, blend, re-package, store, transport, and market chemical products) to determine compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) requirements. Based on these inspections, EPA found that many facilities are not developing safety precautions; instituting maintenance, monitoring, and employee training measures and preparing risk management plans. EPA has taken enforcement actions and assessed penalties against several chemical warehouses and distribution facilities across the country, sometimes pursuing criminal enforcement actions. This alert reminds chemical warehouse and distribution facilities that they must ensure that their chemicals are managed safely, securely, and in compliance with the federal laws enforced by EPA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Some chemical warehouse and distribution facilities may be failing to properly manage hazardous chemicals as by federal law. In the past several years, the EPA has visited numerous chemical warehouses and distribution facilities (i.e., companies that process, formulate, blend, re-package, store, transport, and market chemical products) to determine compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) requirements. Based on these inspections, EPA found that many facilities are not developing safety precautions; instituting maintenance, monitoring, and employee training measures and preparing risk management plans. EPA has taken enforcement actions and assessed penalties against several chemical warehouses and distribution facilities across the country, sometimes pursuing criminal enforcement actions. This alert reminds chemical warehouse and distribution facilities that they must ensure that their chemicals are managed safely, securely, and in compliance with the federal laws enforced by EPA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).