Registration Due for Businesses that Handle Hazardous Materials

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Contact: Kathleen Henning, 240-777-2300

For Immediate Release: February 29, 2000

REGISTRATION DUE FOR BUSINESSES
THAT HANDLE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Montgomery County businesses that store at least five gallons or 50 pounds of hazardous materials on site and use, handle, store, process or manufacture chemical, biological or radiological substances are required to register with the County and supply an inventory of those substances.

Businesses that must register include automotive services and filling stations, dry cleaners, printers, laboratories, research firms, and facilities with above ground or below ground storage tanks. Renewal applications are being mailed to businesses that have already registered under the annual program.

Montgomery County regulations require the registration of businesses that handle hazardous materials in an effort to protect citizens, as well as to assist fire, rescue and police personnel who may be called to the site to handle an emergency. Registration information is also used by the Montgomery County Local Emergency Planning Council, which advises the County Executive on the handling of toxic materials in the County, reviews safety and health information, and recommends additional training for emergency responders.

Businesses that register with the County are asked to provide the names and phone numbers of personnel to be contacted in an emergency and an inventory of hazardous materials located on site. This information is used by the hazardous materials response team, which responds to calls involving potentially hazardous substances.

Upcoming registration deadlines are determined by the quantity of hazardous materials stored or handled by the business. The deadline for the largest users is March 1, with additional deadlines on May 1, June 1, August 1 and September 1 for busineses handling smaller quantities of substances.

Businesses not currently registered can receive an application form by calling Barbara Moore or Trudy Georgestone at 240-777-2300. The Emergency Management staff is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. to help businesses fill out their chemical inventory forms. The chemical inventories can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed.

Citizens are welcome to attend meetings of the Montgomery County Local Emergency Planning Council. The next meeting is April 20, 2000. For additional information, call 240-777-2300.

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