California Board Rejected Refinery Safety Rule Changes
Petroleum refineries in California must continue to follow 2017 process safety management requirements.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted unanimously to reject proposed revisions to Title 8, Section 5189.1. Existing refinery safety mandates therefore remain in effect for operators throughout the state.
Why it matters
The decision maintains current compliance burdens regarding worker participation and hazard control protocols. Unions successfully argued the proposed changes would have diluted safety oversight standards for refinery personnel.
The unanimous vote rejects changes to the existing Title 8, Section 5189.1 framework. These regulations have been in place since 2017 and govern safety management for all petroleum refineries across California.
The players
California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
A state agency responsible for the adoption, amendment, and repeal of occupational safety and health standards for California employers.
Western States Petroleum Association
A non-profit trade association representing companies that explore for, produce, refine, transport, and market petroleum in the western United States.
Chevron
A multinational energy corporation that operates the Richmond refinery and is a major player in global oil and gas production.
The details
The rejected revisions originated from litigation filed by the Western States Petroleum Association and a subsequent settlement with the state attorney general. By blocking the change, the board keeps intact stringent 2017 requirements, including mandatory damage mechanism reviews and hierarchy of hazard control analyses. These standards were originally implemented following a significant 2012 fire at the Chevron Richmond refinery.
Timeline
A fire occurred at the Chevron Richmond refinery in 2012.
The board adopted the existing refinery safety requirements in 2017.
The board rejected the proposed safety rule changes on September 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This decision preserves the regulatory status quo established by Title 8, Section 5189.1. It reflects a trend of balancing industry-led legal settlements against the existing safety oversight standards set after the 2012 Chevron Richmond refinery fire.
Refinery operators should continue to ensure full compliance with the 2017 safety management protocols, as no regulatory relief was granted. Compliance teams should maintain current documentation processes regarding worker participation and hazard control analysis.
The takeaway
The rejection of these revisions signals that existing safety mandates will face high hurdles for change in California. Operators should verify that their internal safety procedures remain fully aligned with the 2017 requirements to avoid regulatory exposure.
Further reading
For more on industry regulatory trends, visit Oil and Gas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Occupational Health & Safety.
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