Greene County Local Emergency Planning Committee

Notice of Publicly Available Information: 

Section 3750.07 of the Ohio Revised Code and Section 311 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) both state that the owner or operator of a facility which is required to have a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for a hazardous chemical under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, and subsequent regulations adopted under it, is required to submit a MSDS or list of such chemicals to each of the following entities: the appropriate local emergency planning committee, the State emergency response commission, and the fire department with jurisdiction over the facility.

Section 3750.10 of the Ohio Revised Code and Sections 311 and 324 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) and federal regulations 40 CFR 370.20, 370.21, and 370.30 published since the passage of the act provide that any person may request in writing from a local emergency planning committee (LEPC) the emergency response plan, a specific material safety data sheet (MSDS), or a specific facility's inventory form. The committee (LEPC) shall make this information available to the person making the request.

Members of the public who wish to review any such plan, MSDS, inventory form or follow-up emergency notice may obtain a "Public Request for Information" form by contacting the Information Coordinator at 937-562-5962.

General Facility Requirements: 

Keep accurate records of the hazardous chemicals they use, store, and make.

Provide either, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or a list of the chemicals to the local fire department, GCLEPC, and the SERC. Provide chemical inventory forms (Tier 2 Reports) to the local fire department, GCLEPC, and the SERC.

Tier 2 reports for 2022 are due by Friday, March 1, 2023 (May also be postmarked on or before March 1, 2023).  

Report releases of hazardous materials to the local fire department, GCLEPC, and the Ohio EPA.

Compliance:

The Compliance/Enforcement Subcommittee is responsible for ensuring facilities that store, use, produce, or release hazardous chemicals or extremely hazardous substances (EHS) in Greene County are complying with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA).

The Compliance/Enforcement Subcommittee, in cooperation with the Prosecutors' Offices in Greene County, initiates enforcement actions and issues warning letters, notices of violation, and fines against facilities that fail to comply with EPCRA. Some of the most common violations include:

Failure to submit, by March 1 each year, a facility identification form, chemical inventory and location form, and map.

Failure to provide either Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or a list of hazardous chemicals on site within 90 days of acquiring them.

Failure to provide written notification within 60 days of acquiring an extremely hazardous substance.

Failure to report the release of a hazardous chemical or extremely hazardous substance within 30 minutes of the release.

Members of the subcommittee also conduct inspections to determine if facilities should be reporting under EPCRA.

Cessation of Regulated Operations (CRO):

In the event that a facility ceases to possess or use a regulated hazardous substance, the following actions must be taken to file and complete a CRO.

• within 30 Days:
  1. Notify Ohio EPA, the GCLEPC, and the local fire department
  2. Secure the facility
  3. Designate a contact person
• Within 90 Days
  1. Submit chemical inventory form
  2. Submit MSDS for each chemical
  3. Remove all regulated substances from the facility
  4. Certify removal to the director of the Ohio EPA

Spill Reporting:

If it is a reportable release, you must also call the following 24 hour numbers within thirty (30) minutes of the release:

• Your Local Fire Department or 9-1-1
• GCLEPC Emergency Coordinator
  1. 911 and request the GCLEPC Emergency Coordinator
  2. The GCLEPC Emergency Coordinator will handle all release-related emergency phone calls for the GCLEPC in Greene County.
• Ohio EPA Emergency Response Center (State Emergency Response Commission) at 800-282-9378
• United States EPA/National Response Center at 800-424-8802

 THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED WHEN REPORTING A RELEASE

• The chemical name or identity of the substance involved in the release.
• An indication of whether the substance is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS).
• An estimate of the quantity released into the environment.
• The time and duration of the release.
• The medium into which the release occurred.
• Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the emergency and, where appropriate, advice regarding medical attention necessary for exposed individuals.
• Proper precautions to take as a result of the release, including evacuation if not already part of a prearranged plan with the community; and
• The names and telephone numbers of the person or persons to contact for further information.

Release Follow Up Notice:

This notice should be sent soon as practicable after a release of a substance, but must be sent within thirty (30) days after the incident. A written follow-up emergency notice must be sent to both the GCLEPC and the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) pursuant to state and federal law.

The follow-up notice shall contain:

• The chemical name or identity of the substance involved in the release;
• An indication of whether the substance is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS);
• An estimate of the quantity released into the environment;
• The time and duration of the release;
• The medium or media into which the release occurred;
• Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the emergency and, where appropriate, advice regarding medical attention necessary for exposed individuals;
• Proper precautions to take as a result of the release, including evacuation if not already part of a prearranged plan with the community; and the names and telephone numbers of the person or persons to contact for further information.
• Actions take to respond to and contain the release;
• Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the release; and Where appropriate, advice regarding medical attention necessary for exposed individuals.