What Are the 4 Major Components of Sara Title III?
Did you know that crisis management standards aren’t being met by at least a third of businesses in the U.S.? Emergency planning helps to mitigate potential losses. It also reduces the potential harm that often comes with unplanned incidents.
Sara Title III requires state and local governments to adopt emergency preparedness programs. It also helps ensure compliance with better community emergency response and prevention tactics. 30% of companies aren’t prepared to handle chemical spills or other chemically-related emergencies.
This makes this even more important and is only one aspect of strategic planning and response. Sara Title III is vital for environmental safety. It’s also important for the safety of workers and asset preservation.
It’s still, however, not fully understood what this title entails, what it is, and what it requires of different communities. Keep reading as we explain why this act is needed and what it involves.
What Is Sara Title III?
Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) is a federal law. It establishes requirements for emergency preparedness and response to chemical accidents. The law was actually enacted in 1986 in response to the 1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, India.
This law requires facilities that use hazardous chemicals to develop emergency response plans. This will also include the need for the implementation of those plans. It also outlines requirements considering “Community Right-to-Know” reporting for hazardous and toxic chemicals.
This is better known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), Title III. This act came later in 1986, and its primary purpose is to help with planning associated with chemical emergencies.
There are different tiers of reporting. Each level is important for identification purposes.
This helps identify the need for emergency intervention and better response planning. It also includes hazardous chemical storage reporting and general chemical data reporting.
Sara Title III provides the requirement for industry participation in outreach efforts. This also includes government entities. It will also involve planning efforts for toxic chemical exposure and incidental preparation.
Additionally, this title spans to the local level, giving even smaller communities access to quality planning and emergency solutions.
What Are the Provisions of Sara Title III?
What are the provisions of Sara Title III? Sara Title III provides requirements for responding to chemical emergencies.
It also gives guidance on following hazardous chemical storage reporting regulations. These requirements apply to;
- Federal government
- State governments
- Local governments
- Indian tribes
- Industry-specific projects
What this title provides is a regulated way of handling states of emergency. The four provisions of this act allow communities to form comprehensive safety solutions.
While it may seem simple, some complexity goes into proper reporting. Companies often struggle with complying with EPCRA (Title III) standards.
This is one reason that businesses work with EHS consultants and reporting professionals. Working with subject matter experts can save a company time and also help reduce the chance of reputational damage. It saves money as well, considering that mistakes often equal costly fines.
A site can expect to pay $27,500 per violation per day for noncompliance with EPCRA standards. This leads business owners and other professional organizations to seek professional guidance.
It’s often wondered, “what are the four major components of Sara Title III?” Knowing this can better ensure a higher rate of compliance.
Emergency Planning (Sections 301-303)
Emergency Planning (Sections 301-303) is as they sound. The emergency response planning sections of EPCRA consist of all planning aspects.
It contains information that community officials can use during chemical incidents. These three sections require facilities to have a readily available emergency response plan.
These plans will focus on at least 406 substances that are considered highly hazardous.
The Environmental Protection Agency will list each substance. However, facility managers must be aware that different sections cover different chemicals.
Overall, these sections provide a quantity threshold for hazardous substances. This will include facilities that don’t use but produce or store them in any way.
Emergency Release Notification (Section 304)
Emergency Release Notification (Section 304) will require the release of information. This is for hazardous spills or releasing hazardous substances into the environment.
It must get reported if the amount released is over a certain threshold. A follow-up report will also be required after the initial release of information. This section covers more than 1,000 substances.
This section will also include the weight of the substances. The same goes for the rate at which it’s released over a 24-hour time frame. The same concept applies to sections 301 through 303.
Hazardous Chemical Storage Reporting Requirements (Section 311-312)
Hazardous Chemical Storage Reporting Requirements (Section 311-312) also cover reporting. This will apply to the storage of all hazardous chemicals used. Section 311 applies to any facility with more than 500 pounds of hazardous chemicals.
This applies to any extremely hazardous substance being used at a site at any time. In this case, all reporting requirements as mentioned by OSHA, must be followed.
So, what is section 312 of Sara Title III? It requires facilities to comply with reporting to have safety data sheets prepared.
These data sheets will involve all hazardous chemicals used within the 10,000-pound limit. The data provided will reflect all hazardous chemicals present during the previous calendar year.
Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (Section 313)
Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (Section 313) requires facilities to submit specific reports. These reports will need to describe any chemical release information. It will also need to include all waste management efforts, and this will be included in the emergency release notification.
Sara’s reporting requirements for this section will apply to all covered facilities. A covered facility is any site with at least ten employees or more. The classification will fall within a covered NAICS (North American Industry Classification System).
These facilities involve producing, storing, or using toxic chemicals above threshold levels. Keep in mind that NAICS codes update every five years. So, working with knowledgeable EHS consultants would make it easier to stay up-to-date.
The Need for Expert Assistance to Avoid Large Fines
Sara Title III or EPCRA helps to prepare communities for environmental emergency response. While mandatory for various organizations, it can be difficult to comply with all reporting tactics. PHASE Associates consists of a knowledgeable team that specializes in environmental response.
To better prepare for chemical incidents, it starts with Title III understanding. Let our team at Phase Associates develop and implement EHS training, safety plans, or even hazardous waste consulting. Work with us by getting in touch with our team today.
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