HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

California Accidental Release Prevention Program (Cal-ARP)

Photo courtesy of
 Sugai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan

Accidental Release Prevention laws were passed by both the Federal and State governments to help prevent accidental releases of extremely hazardous chemicals from impacting surrounding communities. Extremely hazardous chemicals (termed "regulated substances") include anhydrous ammonia, chlorine gas, sulfur dioxide, methyl bromide and a number of pesticides (see Tables 1, 2 & 3). In Monterey County, the Monterey County Environmental Health Division, which is the local CUPA (Certified Unified Program Agency) administers these state and federal accidental release prevention laws and regulations.

Under the new Cal-ARP regulations, businesses that handle certain extremely hazardous chemicals (regulated substances) may need to complete and submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP) to the Monterey County Environmental Health Division.

Facilities must submit an RMP if they handle a Federal Regulated Substance in amounts greater than federal threshold quantities (see Tables 1 & 2) OR if they handle a State Regulated Substance in amounts greater than the state threshold quantities (Table 3) AND have been determined to present a significant likelihood of a regulated substance accident risk. This determination of significant risk will be performed by the Monterey County Environmental Health Division and will evaluate the following risk factors:

• Physical State of Chemical (solid, liquid or gas)
• Toxicity of Chemical
• Amount of Chemical in Process
• Process temperatures and pressures
• Distance of facility to public receptors, especially sensitive receptors such as schools and hospitals.

Facilities determined to pose a significant regulated substance accident risk will be notified by the Monterey County Environmental Health Division and will be given one year to complete and submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP). The Risk Management Plan is a detailed engineering analysis of:

1. the potential accident factors present at a business and
2. the mitigation measures that can be implemented to reduce this accident potential

Forms: (*Download Instructions)

			Word	PDF
1		List of Regulated Substances (Tables 1, 2 & 3)
2		List of Consultants

Links:

• Cal-ARP Regulations
• California Law - Health & Safety Code, Sections 25531 through 25543.3
• Federal Accidental Release Prevention Program (aka Risk Management Program) information including applicable Federal Registers, updates and the
  Clean Air Act, Section 112(r)
• California Emergency Management Agency
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. E.P.A.) Chemical Emergency Management

Questions regarding the California Accidental Release Prevention Program may be directed to: Eileen Woodbury, Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist (831) 755-4971.