Richmond residents can find out what kind of safety programs exist at local chemical facilities and refineries and make suggestions about how to prevent accidental releases at two public meetings this month.

Contra Costa Health Services' Hazardous Materials Programs is sponsoring the public sessions, which are required by the County's and the City of Richmond's Industrial Safety Ordinances. The meetings are part of the overall process to receive input from the communities surrounding regulated industrial sites.

ChevronTexaco and General Chemical's plans will be discussed on Thursday, June 24, from 6 - 9 p.m. (panel discussion from 7 - 8 p.m.) at the Richmond City Council Chambers, 1401 Marina Way South, Richmond  and on Tuesday, July 6, from 6 - 9 p.m. (panel discussion 7 - 8 p.m.) at Multi-Culture Senior Center, 515 Silver Avenue, North Richmond.

There will be an overview of the Industrial Safety ordinance, a panel discussion featuring industry and health department representatives and a question and answer session. The panel discussions will be moderated by consultant Bob Katin.  (More information is available online at cchealth.org)

"This is an excellent opportunity for residents to hear about what safeguards are in place to protect their communities from accidental releases. We encourage people to come and tell us what they are concerned about and ask questions," says Randy Sawyer, the County's Hazardous Materials' Accidental Release Prevention Supervisor.

Sawyer says there are also public comment periods in place for preliminary audit findings of the safety programs of these facilities required by the Contra Costa County and the City of Richmond Industrial Safety Ordinances. The forty-five day public comment period for ChevronTexaco runs through July 26.

More information is available online at cchealth.org or contact: Randy Sawyer 925-646-2879

Visit Contra Costa Health Services websites:

http://cchealth.org    tambien en español

http://ccprevention.org

http://ccpublichealth.org