Celia Abolafia, EHS Specialist
Is your business ready to submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) by March 1, 2023?
What is an HMBP?
The purpose of the HMBP is to prevent or minimize damage to public health, safety, and the environment, from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material. The HMBP also provides emergency response personnel with information to better prepare and respond to hazardous materials-related incidents at regulated facilities.
An HMBP must include the following detailed information:
- An inventory of hazardous materials at a facility
- Emergency response contingency plans and procedures
- Requirements to train employees in safety procedures
- A detailed site map that contains all necessary components including:
- North orientation
- Loading areas
- Internal roads
- Adjacent streets
- Storm and sewer drains
- Access and exit points
- Emergency shutoffs
- Evacuation staging areas
- Hazardous material handling and storage areas
- Emergency response equipment (fire extinguisher, spill kit, etc.)
Who is Required to Submit an HMBP?
Businesses that handle hazardous materials, including hazardous waste, or extremely hazardous substances at reportable quantities are required to prepare and electronically submit an HMBP in CERS.
The reportable quantities for hazardous materials are equal to or greater than:
- 55 gallons of a liquid
- 500 pounds of a solid
- 200 cubic feet of a compressed gas
- A hazardous compressed gas in any amount
- Extremely hazardous substances above the threshold planning quantities (TPQs)
Is an HMBP Required to be Submitted Annually?
Yes, the HMBP must be submitted to CERS annually pursuant to California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 6.65 section 25508(a)(1)(A). Your local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) may set the annual reporting date. However, if they do not specify the date, the default reporting date is on or before March 1, 2023. Failure to electronically report the HMBP as required may result in administrative, civil, and criminal penalties.
We encourage you to choose to stay ahead and let us assist you in completing and submitting your HMBP to CERS. Please do not hesitate on reaching out to us at 562.495.5777 or Environmental@NV5.com