Who is covered under the Process Safety Standard (PSM)?

PSM applies to those companies that deal with any of more than 130 specific toxic and reactive chemicals in listed quantities (See 1910.119 Appendix A); it also includes any Category 1 flammable gas (as defined in 1910.1200(c)) or a flammable liquid with a flashpoint below 100°F on site in one location, in a quantity of 10,000 pounds more except for: hydrocarbon fuels used solely for workplace consumption as a fuel, and flammable liquids stored in atmospheric tanks or transferred, which are kept below their boiling point without chilling or refrigeration.

In addition, the PSM standard applies to the manufacture of explosives, pyrotechnics, including fireworks and flares, per 1910.109(k).

Exempted from the standard

A few types of facilities and operations are exempt from PSM. The standard does not apply to:

• Retail facilities; (must be classified in the NAICS retail codes 44 or 45)
• Oil or gas well drilling or servicing operations; or
• Normally unoccupied remote facilities. (This means that employees are not permanently stationed at the remote location. This includes those sites for which periodic visits by employees may be made on a scheduled basis. Examples could include pump stations located miles from the main establishment. Employees may be assigned to check on the station as needed. But, the remote location must be geographically separated from other facilities and employees such that employees would not be affected by an explosion, vapor cloud of toxic gas, or other consequence of an uncontrolled release at the remote site.)