Section 3750.06. Notice of release of hazardous substance

(A) The owner or operator of a facility where a hazardous chemical is produced, used, or stored and from which a release of an extremely hazardous substance or hazardous substance occurs in an amount equal to or exceeding the reportable quantity prescribed in rules adopted under division (B)(1)(c) or (C)(5) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code shall provide the notices required by divisions (C) and (D) of this section. The owner or operator of any facility from which a release of oil occurs in an amount equal to or exceeding the reportable quantity prescribed in rules adopted under division (B)(3) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code shall provide the notices required by divisions (C) and (D) of this section.

(B) The owner or operator of a vessel from which a release of a hazardous substance or an extremely hazardous substance occurs in an amount equal to or exceeding the reportable quantity prescribed in rules adopted under division (B)(1)(c) or (C)(5) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code, or from which a release of oil occurs in an amount equal to or exceeding the reportable quantity prescribed in rules adopted under division (B)(3) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code, shall provide the notices required by divisions (C) and (D) of this section, except that those notices need be provided to only the director of environmental protection or his designated representative. Upon receiving a verbal emergency notice under this division, the director or his representative shall immediately notify the community emergency coordinator of the emergency planning district in which the release occurred of the release. Upon receipt of a written follow-up emergency notice or revised written follow-up emergency notice under division (D) of this section, the director or his representative shall immediately send a copy of it to that community emergency coordinator.

(C) Except as provided in division (E) of this section, if any release described in division (A) or (B) of this section occurs, the owner or operator of the facility or vessel from which the release occurred shall immediately notify verbally, by telephone, radio, or in person, the community emergency coordinator of each emergency planning district that contains an area likely to be affected by the release, the fire department having jurisdiction where the release occurred, and the director of environmental protection or his designated representative. The verbal notification shall be given within thirty minutes after a person at the facility or aboard the vessel has knowledge of the release, unless notification within that time is impracticable under the circumstances. To the extent known at the time notice is given and that response to the release will not be delayed, the notice shall include all of the following information:

(1) The location of the release;

(2) The chemical name or identity of any substance involved in the release and whether the substance is an extremely hazardous substance;

(3) An estimate of the quantity of any substance released into the environment;

(4) The time and duration of the release;

(5) The environmental medium or media into which the substance was released;

(6) Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the release and, if known to the informant, advice regarding medical attention necessary for individuals exposed to the substance released;

(7) Proper precautions to take as a result of the release, including evacuation and other proposed response actions, unless that information is readily available to the community emergency coordinator pursuant to the plan of the district prepared under section 3750.04 of the Revised Code;

(8) The name and telephone number of the person or persons to be contacted for further information;

(9) Such other information as may be required by rules adopted under division (B)(1)(f) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code.

(D) As soon as practicable but not later than thirty days after the release, the owner or operator of a facility or vessel from which a release described in division (A) or (B) of this section occurred shall submit to the committee of the district in which the release occurred and to the director or his designated representative a written, follow-up emergency notice of the release setting forth and updating the information provided in the verbal notice given under division (C) of this section and including all of the following additional information:

(1) Actions taken to respond to and contain the release;

(2) Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the release;

(3) Where appropriate, advice regarding medical attention necessary for individuals exposed to the substance released;

(4) A summary of all actions taken by the owner or operator to prevent a recurrence of the release. Any information submitted pursuant to division (D)(4) of this section is subject to Evidence Rule 407.

(5) Such other information as is required by rules adopted under division (B)(1)(f) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code.

If significant additional information about a release becomes known during the period between submission of the written report required by this division and one year after the release, the owner or operator shall submit to the committee and the director or his authorized representative an updated written notice within three days after learning the additional information.

(E) This section does not apply to any release of an extremely hazardous substance, hazardous substance, or oil from a facility that results in exposure to persons solely within the site or sites on which the facility is located.

(F) No person shall fail to provide any verbal or written release notification or to update a written release notification required by this section and by rules adopted under division (B)(1)(f) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 12-14-1988