The California Accidental Release Program: What Is It and Why Is It Important?
Introduction
The California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP) in the USA was established in 1997 for California-based facilities to safeguard public safety and the environment by preventing accidents involving hazardous substances.
It aims to:
- Prevent accidental releases that could harm people and the environment
- Minimize damage if an accident does occur
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) sets statewide CalARP guidelines. Local governments, known as Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) or Participating Agencies (PAs), enforce these rules within their communities.
Understanding CalARP Further
The CalARP program in the USA primarily aims to safeguard the public and environment by preventing accidents that could release regulated substances. California Accidental Release Prevention Program solutions require the stationary sources (facilities) that handle, make, use, or store large amounts of regulated substances to take steps to prevent and prepare for accidents.
A stationary source is a fixed location that could release hazardous substances. This includes factories, plants, and other industrial facilities. It doesn’t include things like vehicles or moving transportation. Essentially, it’s any place that isn’t moving and has the potential to cause a hazardous spill.
Businesses with large amounts of regulated substances must create a detailed safety plan called a Risk Management Plan (RMP). The RMP helps companies prevent or reduce accidents that could harm people or the environment. These regulated substances are listed in Title 19, California Code of Regulations, from Table 1 to 3.
The California Accidental Release Prevention Program in the USA categorizes facilities based on their risk. There are four programs with different safety rules:
Program Level 1
This level covers processes that present minimal risk to the public, where a worst-case release scenario would not harm the public. Additionally, no accidents with offsite impacts have occurred in the past five years.
Facilities operating under the CalARP Regulations Program Level 1 process must develop, implement, and maintain the following:
- Hazard Assessment
- Worst-Case Scenario
- Five-Year Accident History
- Emergency Response Program
Program Level 2
This covers processes that exceed the requirements of Program Level 1 but do not meet the complexity threshold of Program Level 3.
Facilities operating under the CalARP Regulations Program Level 2 must develop, implement, and maintain the following:
- Hazard Assessment
- Worst-Case Scenario(s)
- Alternative Release Scenarios (more likely to occur)
- Five-Year Accident History
- Prevention Programs
- Safety Information
- Hazard Review
- Operating Procedures Training Maintenance
- Incident Investigations
- Compliance Audits
- Management System (that oversees the prevention elements)
- Emergency Response Program
Program Level 3
This covers most complex chemical processes ineligible for Program 1. These are regulated by OSHA’s Process Safety Management under federal or California OSHA programs or fall under specific NAICS codes for petroleum refining or chemical manufacturing.
Facilities operating under the CalARP Regulations Program Level 3 process must develop, implement, and maintain the following:
- Hazard Assessment
- Worst-Case Scenario(s)
- Alternative Release Scenarios (more likely to occur)
- Five-Year Accident History
- Prevention Programs
- Process Safety Information
- Process Hazard Analysis
- Operating Procedures
- Training
- Mechanical Integrity
- Incident Investigations
- Management of Change
- Pre-Startup Safety Reviews
- Compliance Audits
- Employee Participation
- Contractors
- Hot Work Permits
- Management System (that oversees the prevention elements)
- Emergency Response Program
Program Level 4
CalARP Program 4, implemented in October 2017, explicitly targets petroleum refineries. This new program was established following identifying gaps in the CalARP regulatory framework and subsequent recommendations from Cal OES.
In addition to enhanced prevention measures, refineries must now submit detailed investigation reports, including root cause analysis, for any major incidents. These incidents involve fires, explosions, or hazardous material releases with the potential for fatalities, serious injuries, or large-scale evacuations. Program 4 also mandates annual reporting of process safety performance indicators.
The California Accidental Release Prevention Program in the USA imposes stricter regulations than the federal RMP on facilities handling hazardous chemicals. CalARP expands the list of regulated substances, reduces threshold quantities, and mandates additional safety measures, such as seismic risk assessments. Furthermore, the program emphasizes public participation and oversight. Consequently, facilities may be subject to compliance requirements under both CalARP and RMP.
The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) ensures compliance with state safety rules and provides helpful information, including summaries and official documents on its website. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees national safety regulations and offers general and technical guidance documents online.
Complying With CalARP
Facilities handling hazardous chemicals in quantities specified in Table 3 of the regulations must develop and submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP) to the local Unified Program Agency (UPA). The local regulatory authority will conduct inspections to verify compliance with California Accidental Release Prevention Program solutions.
Facilities storing or using hazardous chemicals in quantities outlined in Tables 1 or 2 are required to submit a federal and local RMP. The plans must be submitted to the US EPA and the local UPA. Compliance with both the CalARP and federal RMP programs will be assessed through inspections by the appropriate agencies.
Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) reviews submitted RMPs for errors and allows 60 days for corrections. After review, a 45-day public comment period is initiated as required by California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 19, Division 2, Chapter 4.5, Article 3, Section 2745.2. Public input is considered in the final evaluation.
Saltegra: Your Trusted CalARP Experts
Noncompliance with safety policies can lead to severe financial penalties, operational suspension, and damage to a company’s reputation. Saltegra Consulting LLC recognizes the challenges associated with managing compliance documentation and is here to help you so you can focus on growing your business.
At Saltegra, we pride ourselves on providing the highest-quality assistance when working with your RMP/CalARP. Our team is composed of professionals with extensive knowledge of developing RMPs for CalARP program compliance. We’re committed to helping you stay safe and successful.
Conclusion
California Accidental Release Prevention Program solutions safeguard communities and the environment by preventing hazardous material accidents. This protection extends to businesses by reducing risks, costs, and reputational damage.
By complying with CalARP, businesses can:
- Prevent accidents and their costly consequences
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and environmental responsibility
Proactive compliance with CalARP is essential for business continuity and success.
Protect your business. Comply now!
