The Community Right to Know program requires all businesses in New York City storing hazardous chemicals to report information on these potentially dangerous substances in order to better protect first responders and the community in the event of an emergency.
Although the Community Right to Know Tier II filing deadline is March 1st every year, inspectors from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) work year-round, visiting facilities across the five boroughs to check for chemical reporting compliance.
Missing the filing deadline or incorrectly reporting chemical information can result in a DEP inspector issuing your business a violation.
Inspectors are not required to schedule their site visits. They have full authority to show up unannounced at your business during normal operating hours. Refusing to allow an inspector access to your business will also result in a violation.
A violation often comes hand in hand with a heavy fine (up to $2,500) and does not relieve your facility from the duty to report your hazardous chemicals. Inspectors can re-inspect facilities and issue a second violation. Fines for second violations can increase up to $5,000.
If your facility received a Community Right to Know violation, respond by getting into compliance. Walden’s team of knowledgeable staff can help!
We aid our clients by documenting chemicals stored at their site, determining which chemicals are deemed hazardous and if the amount stored on-site meets the DEP’s reportable threshold. Walden also prepares paperwork for compliance with the DEP, FDNY, and the New York State Emergency Response Commission. Our team can help facilities avoid secondary violations. We prepare documentation to be kept on-site, also fulfilling Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous Communication standard (HAZCOM) requirements that workers are informed of their workplace hazards.
Walden’s environmental health and safety experts can help your facility get into compliance and avoid future fines. Give us a call at (516) 624-7200 to help with Right to Know Violations, or to complete your yearly right to know paperwork.
Read more about the Community Right to Know Program in NYC.