Protecting Workers and Communities from Refinery Disasters: California’s Process Safety Management Standard

In 2012, an explosion and fire at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California, sent a massive plume of toxic vapor into surrounding communities and nearly killed 19 workers. An estimated 15,000 residents sought medical treatment after exposure to hazardous chemicals. This incident served as a stark reminder that industrial failures can have catastrophic consequences for workers and the general public.

The Chevron Richmond disaster exposed weaknesses in existing refinery safety systems and became a catalyst for change in California. The incident spurred labor and environmental advocates to press for more robust refinery safety measures and to ensure that workers play a central role in preventing catastrophic accidents. By 2017, they had secured a stronger Cal/OSHA Process Safety Management standard. 

Process Safety Management, commonly referred to as “PSM,” is more than simply a checklist. It provides a comprehensive framework for running facilities safely and encompasses decisions about staffing levels, training, preventive maintenance, and management accountability. 

The revised 2017 Cal/OSHA standard represents a fundamental shift in the approach to controlling hazards and is arguably one of the most significant U.S. industrial safety advancements since federal OSHA issued the first PSM regulation in 1992. At its center is a key role for employees. It incorporates robust language that supports worker engagement, leveraging their knowledge and expertise to ensure that facilities operate safely – both for their own safety and the safety of surrounding communities. 

Specifically, the revised standard involves workers in hazard analysis, incident investigation, and corrective action planning. It ensures employee participation on hazard investigation teams and affirms the right of workers to refuse unsafe tasks. It also gives qualified operators the authority to shut down unsafe operations. 

In 2019, the UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH) Program partnered with the United Steelworkers Local 675 to produce a series of four short PSM safety videos. Designed for workers, community members, and labor and environmental justice organizations, these videos highlight the history and key elements of the groundbreaking 2017 regulatory requirement for refineries in California, particularly the critical need for workers to have a voice in preventing catastrophic incidents.

As history has shown, failures in process safety management can have devastating consequences for workers and adjacent communities. PSM is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a prevention strategy that is most effective when it centers workers and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and shared responsibility. 

For more information about Cal/OSHA’s PSM and worker training, contact LOSH at loshinfo@ucla.edu.