The Agricultural Retailers Association released its top six policy priorities for 2016. The priorities include OSHA's PSM retail exemption, Clean Water Act jurisdiction, water transportation infrastructure, a federal GMO labeling standard, a pro-growth economic agenda, and energy and technology.

 

1. OSHA Process Safety Management Retail Exemption

 

Issue Summary:

 

Last year, OSHA changed the definition of the Process Safety Management retail exemption through a guidance memo, instead of a rulemaking.

 

Ag retail facilities selling anhydrous ammonia have been exempt from PSM since the regulation’s inception, but will no longer be exempt. Industry estimates total compliance costs to be more than $100 million. The average initial cost per facility is $27,500, which far exceeds OSHA’s estimate of $2,160 per facility.

 

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