Montana Title 50. Health and Safety § 50-78-301. Emergency and community information

(1) An employer shall comply with the provisions of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 or be subject to the enforcement provisions thereof.

(2) The local fire chief must be permitted onsite inspection of hazardous chemicals in any workplace, including workplaces under the control of a state agency, for the purposes of planning fire department activities in case of an emergency and reviewing compliance with this chapter. For a workplace that employs fire safety personnel, the local fire chief shall consult with the responsible fire safety official to clarify respective roles and response procedures in the event of an emergency.

(3) As a result of an inspection, the local fire chief may note and report for possible action by the county attorney or other appropriate law enforcement official any violation by an employer of a provision of this chapter or any other law pertaining to hazardous chemicals or fire safety.

(4) The local fire chief shall consult at least annually on safety and emergency considerations with each person responsible for the operation of any research, educational, or testing laboratory workplace. The consultation may result in recommendations or, under the provisions of 50-62-102, orders by the fire chief to be implemented by the laboratory operator to enhance public safety, to reduce the likelihood of emergency incidents, or to improve emergency response in the event of an accident. The person responsible for the operation of the laboratory shall contact the local fire chief at any time there is a significant change in the location or nature of the hazardous chemicals in the workplace, initiation of any new and potentially dangerous method of processing or reacting hazardous chemicals, or any other operational change affecting emergency response considerations.