Cal. Code Regs. tit. 19 § 5110.6

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 52, December 27, 2024
Section 5110.6 - Operating Procedures
(a) The owner or operator shall develop and implement effective written operating procedures. The operating procedures shall provide clear instructions for safely conducting activities involved in each process. The operating procedures shall be consistent with the process safety information and shall address the following:
(1) Steps for each operating phase or mode of operation:
(A) Startup;
(B) Normal operations;
(C) Temporary operations as the need arises;
(D) Emergency shutdown, including the conditions under which emergency shutdown is required, provisions granting the authority of the qualified operator to shut down the operation or process, and the assignment of responsibilities to qualified operators in order to ensure that emergency shutdown is executed in a safe and timely manner;
(E) Normal shutdown; and,
(F) Startup following a turnaround, a planned or unplanned shutdown, or after an emergency shutdown.
(2) Operating limits:
(A) Consequences of deviation(s); and,
(B) Steps required to correct or avoid deviation(s).
(3) Safety and health considerations:
(A) Properties of, and hazards presented by, the chemicals used in the process;
(B) Precautions necessary to prevent exposure, including passive, active and procedural safeguards; and personal protective equipment;
(C) Protective measures to be taken if physical contact or inhalation exposure occurs;
(D) Safety procedures for opening process equipment;
(E) Verification of the composition and properties of raw materials and control of hazardous chemical inventory levels; and,
(F) Any special or unique hazards.
(4) Safety systems and their functions.
(b) The Operating Procedures shall include emergency operations for each process, including any response to the over-pressurizing or overheating of equipment or piping, and the handling of leaks, spills, releases and discharges. These procedures shall be consistent with the procedures developed as required by subsection (a)(1)(D) and shall provide that only qualified operators may initiate these operations and that prior to allowing employees in the vicinity of a leak, release or discharge, the owner or operator shall at a minimum do one of the following:
(1) Shutdown and depressurize all process operations where a leak, release or discharge is occurring; or
(2) Isolate any vessel, piping, and equipment where a leak, spill or discharge is occurring; or
(3) Follow established criteria for handling leaks, spills, or discharges that are designed to provide a level of protection that is functionally equivalent to, or safer than, shutting down or isolating the process.
(c) A copy of the operating procedures shall be readily accessible to employees who work in or near the process area and to any other person who works in or near the process area or who maintains a process.
(d) The operating procedures shall be reviewed and updated as often as necessary to ensure that they reflect current safe operating practices. The operating procedures shall include any changes that result from alterations in process chemicals, technology, personnel, process equipment, or other changes to the stationary source. Changes to operating procedures shall be managed in accordance with the MOC requirements in section 5110.9. The owner or operator shall certify annually that operating procedures are current and accurate.
(e) The owner or operator shall develop, implement, and maintain safe work practices to prevent or control hazards during specific activities, such as opening process equipment or piping; tasks requiring lock-out/tag-out procedures; confined space entry; handling, controlling, and stopping leaks, spills, releases and discharges; and control over entry into hazardous work areas by maintenance, contractor, laboratory, or other support personnel. Safe work practices shall apply to employees and contractor employees.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 19, § 5110.6

Note: Authority cited: Section 8585, Government Code; and Sections 25531 and 25534.05, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 8585, Government Code; Section 25531, Health and Safety Code; and Section 68.69, Part 68, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

1. Change without regulatory effect renumbering section 2762.3 to new section 5110.6, including amendment of subsection (d), filed 3-6-2024 (Register 2024, No. 10).