The CalARP program has distinct program levels that relate to the accident potential at a facility. There are four program levels with increasing requirements depending upon the complexity, accident history, and potential offsite impact of a release. 

Level 1

• Processes that pose comparatively low risks to the public.

Level 2

• Processes that do not meet the Program Level 1 requirements and typically have less complex processes than Program Level 3 requirements. Retail facilities, small to medium manufacturing facilities, and some publicly owned drinking water or wastewater treatment plants may be examples of Program Level 2 processes.

Level 3

• Complex chemical processes in industrial sectors with substantial accident histories, have significant potential offsite consequences, or are subject to the OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) standard. Program Level 3 processes are mainly at medium to large manufacturing facilities; facilities with large refrigeration storage systems; utilities; and high volume, publicly-owned drinking water or wastewater treatment plants.

Level 4

• Processes within petroleum refineries, except for plant laboratories or laboratories that are under the supervision of a technically qualified individual as defined in 40 CFR Section 720.3(ee). This exemption does not apply to specialty chemical production, manufacture, processing, or use of substances in pilot-plant-scale operations and activities conducted outside the laboratory.