SPE Health, Safety & Environmental Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard 29 CFR 1910.119, what is the threshold quantity for flammable liquids and gases that triggers PSM applicability?
- 1,000 lbs
- 5,000 lbs
- 10,000 lbs (Correct answer)
- 50,000 lbs
Correct answer: 10,000 lbs
OSHA PSM triggers for flammable liquids/gases at or above 10,000 lbs when stored above their flashpoint.
Question 2: The EPA Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule under 40 CFR Part 68 requires facilities to prepare an RMP when they hold what quantity of a listed toxic substance above its threshold?
- The threshold quantity listed in Table 1 of Part 68 (Correct answer)
- Any quantity above 500 lbs
- More than 1,000 lbs regardless of substance
- Only when the facility has more than 10 employees
Correct answer: The threshold quantity listed in Table 1 of Part 68
RMP applicability is triggered when a regulated substance is present at or above its specific threshold quantity listed in 40 CFR Part 68, Table 1.
Question 3: In offshore petroleum operations, which U.S. federal agency primarily regulates Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS)?
- OSHA
- EPA
- BSEE (Correct answer)
- Coast Guard
Correct answer: BSEE
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) administers the SEMS regulations under 30 CFR Part 250.
Question 4: Under the Clean Water Act, which permit program regulates discharges of pollutants from point sources into U.S. navigable waters?
- RCRA permit
- NPDES permit (Correct answer)
- UIC permit
- Title V permit
Correct answer: NPDES permit
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under CWA Section 402 governs point-source discharges to navigable waters.
Question 5: Which OSHA standard specifically addresses walking-working surfaces and fall protection for general industry, covering elevated platforms on oil and gas production facilities onshore?
- 29 CFR 1910.23 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1926.502
- 29 CFR 1910.119
- 29 CFR 1910.146
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.23
29 CFR 1910.23 covers ladders, stairways, and elevated walking-working surfaces including guardrail requirements for general industry.
Question 6: Under RCRA, hazardous waste generators are classified by the quantity generated per month. A 'Large Quantity Generator' produces more than how many kilograms per month?
- 100 kg
- 1,000 kg (Correct answer)
- 5,000 kg
- 10,000 kg
Correct answer: 1,000 kg
RCRA classifies Large Quantity Generators as those generating more than 1,000 kg (approximately 2,200 lbs) of hazardous waste per month.
Question 7: The API RP 75 recommended practice provides guidance on Safety and Environmental Management Programs specifically for which sector?
- Onshore drilling operations only
- Offshore oil and gas operations (Correct answer)
- Pipeline transmission systems
- Refinery operations
Correct answer: Offshore oil and gas operations
API RP 75 provides the SEMP framework for offshore oil and gas operations and served as the basis for BSEE's SEMS regulations.
SPE Health, Safety & Environmental Regulations 2
Under OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard 29 CFR 1910.119, what is the threshold quantity for flammable liquids and gases that triggers PSM applicability?