From spray finishing to chemical safety, the federal government is seeking input on four potential rule changes that could affect the coating and blasting industry.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is inviting public comment on potential revisions to its Process Safety Management standard, as well as other policy options to prevent major chemical releases and other accidents.

In addition, the agency is also seeking input on potential updates to its Explosive and Blasting Agents, Flammable Liquids and Spray Finishing standards.

The Flammable Liquid standard details, among other things, storage tank and pressure vessel specifications. Spray Finishing includes powder coating and spray booth operations.

PSM Changes

PSM standards govern facilities that use highly hazardous chemicals in their processes.

OSHA's request for information is in response to Executive Order 13650 (Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security), a multi-agency directive that was issued after the fatal ammonium nitrate explosion in West, TX, in April.

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OSHA is seeking public comments on its standards involving Process Safety Management, Explosive and Blasting Agents, Flammable Liquids, and Spray Finishing.

The public will have 90 days to submit written comments once the request is published in the Federal Register. Comments may be submitted at www.regulations.gov, as well as by mail or fax. Until it is published, OSHA has provided its request for informational purposes only. The document can be found here.

Managing Hazards, Improving Safety

President Obama signed the executive order Aug. 1, directing the federal government to improve operational coordination with state and local partners; improve federal agency coordination and information sharing; modernize policies, regulations, and standards; and work with stakeholders to identify best practices.

More information can be found here.

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Until it is published in the Federal Register, information on OSHA's request for information may be found here.

The Process Safety Management standard contains requirements for managing hazards associated with processes using highly hazardous chemicals and establishes a comprehensive management program that integrates technologies, procedures and management practices.

OSHA's request for information cites "potential revisions" to the PSM and Explosive and Blasting Agent standards and "potential updates" to the Flammable Liquids and Spray Finishing standards.

OSHA is requesting information and data on specific rulemaking and policy options, and the workplace hazards they address. The agency says it will use the information "to determine what action, if any,  it may take."