Laserfiche WebLink
<br />'- <br />~' <br /> <br /> <br />M ANeighr::rS <br />n Who Care <br /> <br />I, . ~" . . . I" .' i ., I <br /> <br />EAST HARRIS COUNTY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION <br /> <br />I' '" ': ",." I <br /> <br />People · Products · Safety · Support <br /> <br />August 6, 1998 <br /> <br />The Honorable Norman Malone <br />Mayor, City of La Porte <br />City Hall <br />,-Po O. Box 1115 <br />La Porte, TX 77572-1115 <br /> <br />Dear Mayor Malone: <br /> <br />Last week an environmental activist group issued a report pointing out potential risks of <br />chemical industry operations along the Houston Ship Channel. The report called attention to <br />the group's request that ... more regulation be imposed on industry to ensure improved safety <br />and industry communications with communities. <br /> <br />Existing rules coupled with our safety programs and community outreach efforts have <br />demonstrated effective results. We are concerned that additional regulation imposed to <br />advance the agenda of a special interest group would only dilute ttJe effectiveness of' already <br />established programs. ' <br /> <br /> <br />I hope that through your relationship with our industry you know that day-in day-out, year-in <br />year-out, East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA) members strive diligently to <br />operate safely and continuously improve by implementing preventive measures, one such being <br />OSHA's process safety management process. Through the leadership of OSHA's Ray Skinner, <br />OSHA has worked closely with industry and labor to implement process safety management <br />which has resulted in fewer worker injuries. <br /> <br />EPA promulgated a Risk Management Plan (Worst Case Scenario) rule some years ago which <br />extended the philosophy of OSHA's process safety management principles of hazard <br />assessment, prevention and emergency response to communities and communities' right to <br />know. As you know, EHCMA has been working with citizens to plan an efficient and effective <br />grass roots communication program to discuss RMP with our neighbors in early 1999. <br /> <br /> <br />For more than a decade, EHCMA member companies have fostered open dialogue with our <br />communities through active participation in Local Emergency Planning Committees as well as <br />Community Advisory Councils ,-- local citizens and community leaders who meet monthly with <br />plant managers to discuss i.ssues, such as safe operations and environmental protection. <br />. . ' <br />