Hazardous Materials Business Plan
In California, facilities with hazardous materials and chemicals above a certain threshold quantity must report the quantity and type of chemicals they use and store to a local agency on an annual basis. This report, the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP), is submitted electronically into a database called the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). The CERS program is managed by California EPA. CERS was developed to standardize reporting requirements that were originally managed locally as the California Unified Program Agencies (CUPA). CUPAs still manage hazardous materials in communities, and work together with the EPA to document hazardous materials in the workplace.
The HMBP is linked closely to emergency response as it provides first responders such as the Fire Department with information on the types, quantities, and location of hazardous materials in a facility in the event of an incident. Accurate reporting ensures that responders are aware of hazards they may face going into an emergency situation. Hazardous materials can include chemicals, hazardous waste, compressed gasses, and storage tanks.
To get more information on the applicability of a hazardous materials business plan for a specific County operation please contact the corresponding departmental Safety Coordinator.
For further information on specific regulatory guidelines please refer to the link(s) below: