Process Safety Management (PSM)
The purpose of this rulemaking is to improve workplace safety and health at refineries. Catastrophic events at oil refineries across the U.S. have tragically claimed the lives of many workers — including 13 in Washington State since 1998. Six workers died from a Process Safety Management (PSM) related incident in 1998 at a petroleum refinery in Anacortes. In 2010, 7 more workers died when a heat exchanger used in the refining process at a petroleum refinery in Anacortes exploded and the fire engulfed the workers. These incidents have led to much discussion about what could have been done to prevent these tragedies.
Status
On December 27th, 2023, L&I, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) filed a Permanent Rulemaking (CR-103P) to adopt the updated requirements in Chapter 296-67 WAC Safety Standards for Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals relating to petroleum refineries.
See all the rulemaking activity for Process Safety Management on our L&I Rulemaking page.
Learn more about our rulemaking process and terminology
In 2015, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) launched an effort to update the safety standards for process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals. A Process Safety Management Advisory Committee was established consisting of L&I staff, labor representatives, business representatives, and other community members.
The Committee held 10 meetings between September 21, 2015 and September 6, 2017, during which the initial draft rule language was developed and discussed. In August 2017, L&I filed a preproposal statement of inquiry (CR-101) initiating a rulemaking. Eleven stakeholder meetings to discuss the draft rule language were conducted between January 24, 2018 and December 4, 2018. On June 21, 2023, L&I filed a proposed rulemaking (CR-102) and held public hearings in August 2023. Finally, on December 27, 2023, L&I filed a Permanent Rulemaking (CR-103P) and the rules are effective December 27, 2024.
| Action Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Filed CR-103 Permanent Rulemaking | December 27, 2023 |
| Filed CR-102 Proposed Rulemaking | June 21, 2023 |
| Filed CR-101 Pre-proposal Statement of Inquiry | August 22, 2017 |
Previous meetings
Public hearing materials
Stakeholder meeting materials
- Dec 3, 2018
- Nov 13, 2018
- Oct 24, 2018
- Oct 10, 2018
- Sept. 6, 2017
- May 24, 2017
- April 19, 2017
- January 5, 2017
- Nov. 7, 2016
- Oct. 10, 2016
- June 20, 2016
- April 12, 2016.
- Jan. 6, 2016.
- Sept. 21, 2015.
Adopted permanent rule documents
Filed December 27, 2023 and effective December 27, 2024.
- Chapter 296-67 WAC, Safety Standards for Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals relating to petroleum refineries.
- CR-103P Permanent Rulemaking
- Final Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Concise Explanatory Statement
Note: The Concise Explanatory Statement includes a summary of all written stakeholder comments received during the public comment period and L&I responses to each comment. - Rule implementation dates chart
Proposed Rule Filing, June 21, 2023
- Chapter 296-67 WAC Process Safety Management for Refineries, June 21, 2023 proposed rule language
- Preliminary Cost Benefit Analysis
- Proposed Process Safety Management Requirements for Petroleum Refineries (F417-303-000)
Rulemaking drafts
Staff Contacts:
For rulemaking questions, please contact:
Tari Enos
Administrative Regulations Analyst
Tari.Enos@Lni.wa.gov or 360-902-5541
For technical questions, please contact:
Sally Buckingham
Industrial Hygiene Specialist
Sally.Buckingham@Lni.wa.gov or 360-647-7322
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