Unexpected releases of toxic, reactive, or flammable liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals have been reported for many years in various industries that use chemicals with such properties. Regardless of the industry that uses these highly hazardous chemicals, there is a potential for an accidental release any time they are not properly controlled, creating the possibility of disaster. To help ensure safe and healthful workplaces, OSHA has issued the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard (29 CFR 1910.119), which contains requirements for the management of hazards associated with processes using highly hazardous chemicals. Process safety management (PSM) is addressed in specific standards for the general and construction industries. OSHA's standard emphasizes the management of hazards associated with highly hazardous chemicals and establishes a comprehensive management program that integrates technologies, procedures, and management practices. Standards: This section highlights OSHA standards, preambles to final rules (background to final rules), directives (instructions for compliance officers), standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards), other federal standards, and national consensus standards related to PSM. OSHA Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies. Hazard Recognition: Hazardous chemical releases pose a significant threat to workers. The key provision of process safety management (PSM) is process hazard analysis (PHA), a careful review of what could go wrong and what safeguards must be implemented to prevent releases of hazardous chemicals. The following references help begin a PHA by recognizing process hazards. Evaluation and Control: An effective process safety management (PSM) program requires a systematic approach to evaluating the whole chemical process. The following references aid in evaluating and controlling process hazards in the workplace. See more from topic source: https://www.osha.gov/html/a-z-index.html