Hazardous Materials Business Plan

Federal, State and local laws require that a Hazardous Material Business Plan be submitted by any business that uses, stores, or handles a hazardous material or a mixture containing a hazardous material in reportable quantities.

As a result of Assembly Bill 2286, effective January 1, 2013, the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) is the only approved method for filing Hazardous Materials Business Plans.  The City of Corona Fire Prevention Division implements the Hazardous Materials Business Plan program within the city limits.  Businesses are required to submit their plan electronically.  Maintaining accurate inventories, site maps and prevention plans will allow emergency responders the ability to pre-plan responses based on hazards specific to the business. The City of Corona is a Participating Agency (PA) to the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA); Riverside County Department of Environmental Health.

The City of Corona regulates the following elements:

• Hazardous Materials Inventory
• Emergency Response and Training Plans
• Fire Code Compliance

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health regulates the remaining elements:

• Underground Storage Tanks
• Tiered Permitting
• Recyclable Materials Report
• Remote Waste Consolidation Site Annual Notification
• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act
• Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification
• California Accidental Release program

Hazardous Materials are required to be reported, and an emergency response plan developed, when the materials on site at any given time, exceed any of the following:

• 55 gallons of a liquid
• 500 pounds of a solid
• 200 cubic feet of a compressed gas
• 1000 cubic feet of liquefied carbon dioxide used for beverage carbonization
• or 1000 cubic feet of an inert compressed gas where the only hazard is that of an asphyxiant.

Businesses must set up a user name and password for the CERS website.  Use the hyperlink below to review a tutorial for the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS).  https://cers.calepa.ca.gov

The City of Corona has prepared a step-by-step guideline that may be of assistance. Click here to view the guideline.

If you need assistance with the Hazardous Materials program or CERS, please contact the Corona Fire Department at 951 736 2220.  You will need to have already obtained a user name and password for optimal support. 

Definitions

A Hazardous Material is defined as any material that because of its quantity, concentration, physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the work place or environment.  Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to, hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, and any material that a business or the local implementing agency has a reasonable basis for believing that it would be injurious to the health and safety of persons or harmful to the environment if released.  Hazardous material also includes any substance or chemical product for which the manufacturer or producer is required to prepare a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Pages 6-11, formerly known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).  Due to Global Harmonization Standards (GHS) creating SDS that can be used worldwide, it is essential to have current SDS available.

Hazardous Materials Business Plan & Screening Form

The Corona Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Business Plan fulfills the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA).

The program enhances the fire department's ability to handle hazardous material emergencies when they occur within the City of Corona. This results in greater safety for firefighters who respond to emergencies at these facilities, greater safety for employees who may be present during an emergency, and greater safety for the community at large.

The Hazardous Materials Business Plan Screening Form is available here. The requirements are listed on the form.

Regulated businesses are required to certify their plans annually.  Businesses will review information such as business name, address and phone numbers, emergency contact information and any hazardous materials used or stored at the business. Any changes to inventory or contacts must be reported within 30 days from the date of the change.  Assistance in completing the forms is available from the Hazmat Planner.

The Hazardous Materials Planner is a member of the fire department who is responsible for the administration of the Hazardous Materials Business Program. To contact the Hazmat Planner or to receive information about fees, please e-mail to HazPlan@CoronaCA.gov