IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 147 
Calling for an update to certain Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 
and certain Environmental Protection Agency programs relating to highly 
hazardous chemicals. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 20, 2018 
Mr. DESAULNIER submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition 
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Calling for an update to certain Occupational Safety and 
Health Regulations and certain Environmental Protec-
tion Agency programs relating to highly hazardous 
chemicals. 
Whereas the process safety management regulation is a regu-
lation promulgated by the Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration (OSHA) relating to the use, stor-
age, manufacturing, handling, or the on-site movement of 
highly hazardous chemicals as defined by OSHA and the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it hasn’t 
been updated since 1992; 
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•HCON 147 IH 
Whereas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 
there are an average of 150 major industrial fires, explo-
sions, or chemical releases reported each year to EPA; 
Whereas, in January 1997, one man died and 46 others were 
injured in a refinery explosion in Martinez, California; 
Whereas, in April 2010, seven people died in a refinery fire 
in Anacortes, Washington; 
Whereas, in August 2012, 19 workers were endangered and 
15,000 residents had to seek care after a refinery fire in 
Richmond, California; 
Whereas, in April 2018, an explosion at a Husky Energy re-
finery left at least 20 injured in Superior, Wisconsin; 
Whereas, in response to the 1997 refinery explosion in Mar-
tinez, California, Contra Costa County enacted a 
groundbreaking industrial safety ordinance to promote 
safety at refineries that has been successful in reducing 
the number of safety incidents; 
Whereas, in response to the 2012 refinery fire in Richmond, 
California, the State of California responded by imple-
menting comprehensive, modern regulations in 2017, 
known as Process Safety Management for Petroleum Re-
fineries under the Division of Occupational Safety and 
Health and Program 4 of the Accidental Release Preven-
tion Program under the California Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, that are the strongest in the Nation; 
Whereas Contra Costa County, the State of Washington, and 
others are updating their safety regulations based on 
those enacted in California; and 
Whereas the Federal standards are in need of similar updat-
ing: Now, therefore, be it 
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•HCON 147 IH 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the Oc-
cupational Safety and Health Administration should up-
date regulations concerning refinery and chemical plant 
safety, including the Process Safety Management regula-
tions (29 C.F.R. 1910.199), and the EPA should update 
its Risk Management Plan rule pursuant to section 112(r) 
of the Clean Air Act Amendments. These updated regula-
tions should be no less comprehensive than those in place 
in California, and similarly should be based on the indus-
try’s own best practices. 
Æ 
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