Hazardous Material Business Plan (HMBP) Program

The purpose of the business plan program is to prevent damage to the health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment from the release or threatened release of hazardous materials. In addition, the business program is used to satisfy Community Right-To-Know laws by providing hazardous material information to emergency responders and the community.  

Hazardous materials are any substances that can harm public health or the environment. Some examples of hazardous materials include:

  • Flammable liquids and solids
  • Petroleum-based products, such as motor oil, gasoline and diesel fuel
  • Acids and bases, such as pool chemicals and drain cleaners
  • Paints
  • Inks
  • Fertilizers

Businesses located in Loyalton and the unincorporated areas of Sierra County are required to disclose all hazardous material and waste that are used, handled or stored at their facility above reporting thresholds. In general, the reporting thresholds are: 

  • 55 gallons for liquids 
  • 500 pounds for solids 
  • 200 cubic feet for compressed gases 

Exemptions from Filing

Businesses are exempt from the regulations and do not have to file a Business Plan if they do not have other reportable hazardous materials and:

  • The hazardous materials are contained solely in consumer products for direct distribution to the general public;
  • You are a physician, dentist, podiatrist, veterinarian, pharmacist, or emergency medical service provider who stores oxygen, nitrogen, and/or nitrous oxide in quantities of not more than 1,000 cubic feet for each material;
  • You store 55 gallons or less of any specific type of lubricating oil and your total quantity does not exceed 275 gallons for all types of lubricating oil. Lubricating oil does not include used oil;
  • You store no more than 500 gallons of propane that is used for the sole purpose of heating employee work areas, heating water within that business or cooking. 
  • Your business handles at any one time during the reporting year a total weight of less than 5,000 pounds for solids or a total volume of less than 550 gallons for liquids, if the hazardous material is classified as a hazard solely as an irritant or sensitizer.
  • Your business handles at any one time during the reporting year cryogenic, refrigerated, or compressed gas in a quantity of less than 1,000 cubic feet at standard temperature and pressure, if the gas is either of the following:
    1. Classified as a hazard solely due to simple asphyxiation or the release of pressure or carbon dioxide.

The HMBP must include:

  • Summary of business activities
  • Owner/operator information including emergency contacts
  • The type and quantity of reportable hazardous materials
  • Site map
  • Emergency response procedures
  • Employee training program

Business plan information must be electronically submitted through the California Electronic Reporting System (CERS) if handling or storing a hazardous material equal to or greater than the minimum reportable quantities.

Business plans must be annually certified or updated by March 1 of each year, or within 30 days of a substantial change. Some of these changes include but are not limited to: new ownership or emergency contacts, major increases or decreases in hazardous materials storage, changes in location of hazardous materials, and/or significant operational changes. 

Sierra County Environmental Health will inspect your business at least once every three years to verify if the business plan information is complete and accurate. Routine inspections also include a review of emergency response procedures and employee training records. If inspectors identify HMBP deficiencies and/or violations during an inspection, the business will receive a Notice to Comply within a specific time frame for corrective actions, typically 30 days.

Authority

Have Questions?

For more program information, please contact:

Sierra County Environmental Health/ CUPA Department at (530) 993-6716 or via email.