California Board Rejected Refinery Safety Revisions
Regulators voted unanimously to keep 2017 refinery safety rules in place across the state.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has rejected proposed changes to Title 8, Section 5189.1. This decision maintains existing process safety management requirements at petroleum refineries.
Why it matters
Unions opposed the revisions, arguing the changes would have reduced worker participation in critical safety processes. The move ensures that established oversight protocols remain in effect.
The vote affects Title 8, Section 5189.1, which has governed California refinery safety since 2017. These regulations were originally implemented following a 2012 fire at the Chevron Richmond refinery.
The players
California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
This body is the primary regulatory agency responsible for adopting and enforcing workplace safety and health standards within the state of California.
Western States Petroleum Association
This non-profit trade association represents companies that explore for, produce, refine, and transport petroleum products throughout the western United States.
Chevron
This is a major American multinational energy corporation that operates the Richmond refinery located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The details
The board's unanimous rejection follows litigation brought by the Western States Petroleum Association and a subsequent settlement with the California attorney general. The preserved 2017 requirements mandate damage mechanism reviews, hierarchy of hazard control analyses, and active worker participation in safety protocols.
Timeline
A major fire occurred at the Chevron Richmond refinery in 2012.
The board originally adopted the existing safety requirements in 2017.
The board rejected the proposed safety rule changes on September 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This decision reinforces the regulatory environment established after the 2012 Chevron Richmond refinery fire. By maintaining stricter oversight, the state continues to differentiate its operational requirements from broader national standards.
Refinery workers retain existing rights to participate in safety processes and hazard control analyses. Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond maintain the continued protection of the 2017 regulatory standards.
The takeaway
Maintaining established safety protocols ensures that worker-led hazard reviews remain a central component of refinery operations. This decision highlights the ongoing tension between industry groups seeking regulatory updates and labor advocates prioritizing worker participation.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving regulatory landscape in California Oil and Gas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Occupational Health & Safety.
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