Joint EPA/OSHA chemical accident investigation

An important initiative taking shape between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a joint chemical accident investigation program. In 1996, an interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to establish policy and general procedures for cooperation and coordination between EPA and OSHA. The MOU defines the criteria for defining a major chemical accident or release and for initiating a joint. agency investigation, In general, major chemical accidents or releases are those that result in fatalities, serious injuries, significant property damage, environmental damage or other serious off-site impacts such as evacuation. Other less severe accidents or releases with the potential for grave losses may also be investigated. The purpose of these joint investigations is to uncover the root causes, make recommendations to prevent their recurrences, and to make the lessons learned available to other industrial facilities and the public.