Are PCBs in Your Kitchen?

Probably the last place you would want to find airborne polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) is in your kitchen, yet that's exactly where scientists detected their presence, according to a new report in ACS’ journal Environmental Science & Technology. They say that the PCBs, which are widely considered carcinogenic, are unwanted byproducts of sealant breakdown in modern kitchen cabinetry.

As a group, PCBs are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as known human carcinogens, and their manufacture was banned in the U.S. in 1979. But because of the tendency of these chemicals to stick around in the environment and their inadvertent production as manufacturing byproducts, PCBs can still be found in offices and schools. Keri C. Hornbuckle and colleagues at the University of Iowa College of Engineering wanted to determine how much and what types of PCBs are present in and around residences.

The researchers measured the concentrations of PCBs using polyurethane-equipped passive air samplers (PUF-PAS) for a 6-week interval from August 22, 2017, to October 2, 2017, inside and outside 16 homes in Iowa. They found neurotoxic PCB-47 and PCB-51, as well as PCB-68, at much higher levels than expected. The concentrations seemed to be dependent on the year the house was built, with higher levels in more recent years. After testing the emissions coming from a variety of household items, including the stove, floor and walls, the researchers found the PCBs wafting off the finished kitchen cabinetry. The researchers suspect that the substances come from the decomposition of 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in modern cabinet sealants. This finding brings to light a previously unknown source of a toxic chemical in the home.

St Louis Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in St Louis, MO on May 8-10 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Hilton Head Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Hilton Head, SC on May 22-24 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Baton Rouge Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Baton Rouge, LA on June 5-7 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Fifth Annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction

The National Safety Stand-Down was created five years ago as a combined effort by OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training, and other partners. For the past four years, the Stand-Down Campaign has had an impact on fall prevention and on the awareness and education of millions of workers in construction. Now in its fifth year, every participant can build on their strengths and welcome millions more to safety on the job. The National Safety Stand-Down will be held on May 7-9, 2018.

National Occupational Research Agenda for Musculoskeletal Health

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the availability of the draft National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) for Musculoskeletal Health for public comment. The agenda incorporates knowledge about injuries and illnesses, the state of the science, and the likelihood that new information and approaches will make a difference in preventing musculoskeletal disorders. The deadline to submit comments is May 21, 2018.

Tips for Tractor Trailer Safety

The dangers tractor trailer drivers face don’t end once they reach their destination. Whether at the warehouse, dock, or construction site, drivers are exposed to struck-by, crushed-between, and other safety hazards. OSHA is teaming with the trucking industry to raise awareness of these hazards, and help prevent serious and fatal injuries.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at least 96 fatalities in truck transportation occurred in Midwestern states from 2015 to 2017. Thirteen of those fatalities appeared to be related to coupling (attaching) and uncoupling (detaching) trucks from the rig.

OSHA and the trucking industry developed a new flier that addresses the three most common hazards: parking, backing up, and coupling and uncoupling vehicles:

Parking

• Park on level ground and close to the receiving door or site
• Set and test brakes
• Do not attempt to stop a rolling vehicle
• Place wheel chocks between the tandem wheels of the trailer

Backing Up

• Get Out And Look (GOAL)
• Use flashers, horn, and backup alarms
• Check both mirrors
• Roll down windows to hear
• Know the vehicle’s blind spots
• Use a spotter
• Back up slowly
• Stand clear when opening doors for unloading

Coupling and Uncoupling

• Only trained workers should perform this procedure
• Ensure stable footing when releasing the fifth wheel or adjusting tandems
• Wear bright visible clothing
• Set parking brakes and perform tug test ƒ
• Keep clear of tires and frames
• Check for vehicular traffic near you

See OSHA’s Trucking Industry webpage for information on other industry hazards.

Read more on Environmental Resource Center.

Hot Air Hand Dryers Spread Bathroom Bacteria

Bathroom hot air hand dryers deposited large quantities of bacteria on   agar      plates held beneath the nozzles for 30 seconds and grew 15 to 60   bacterial colonies each, according to research published in Applied and   Environmental Microbiology, a publication of the American Society for   Microbiology. The vast majority of the bacteria appear to come from the   bathrooms.
Bacteria deposited by hand dryers are skin flora and/or environmental organisms that can cause invasive human disease, including bloodstream, ocular, and peritoneal infections. In most cases, patients sickened by these bacteria had a vulnerability to infection because of factors such as a permanent catheter, an immunodeficiency, chronic disease, or IV drug use.

St Louis Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in St Louis, MO on May 8-10 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Hilton Head Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course  in Hilton Head, SC on May 22-24 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Baton Rouge Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course  in Baton Rouge, LA on June 5-7 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

How OSHA Works with EPA

Although each of the 15 federal departments (and the hundreds of federal agencies) has its own mission, personnel, and operating procedures, that does not mean that these separate entities operate with no knowledge of what the others are doing or no interest in seeing that their sister agencies achieve their statutory and discretionary objectives. Federal agencies have a long history of developing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with one another.

MOUs can cover a broad range of topics. For example, agencies may commit to checking with one another before developing regulations to eliminate or reduce duplication, share staff or other resources, and also share information. One type of information sharing that should be of special interest to employers is OSHA’s receipt of potential worker safety violations forwarded by inspectors from other agencies.

A page on OSHA’s website lists 45 MOUs, including five with the EPA, the most OSHA has with any Agency.

One MOU between OSHA and what was formerly called EPA’s Office of Enforcement that was issued in 1991—and, apparently, is still in effect—is intended to aid both agencies in “identifying environmental and workplace health and safety problems and to more effectively implement enforcement of our national workplace and environmental statutes”

The MOU covers several areas of cooperation, including coordination between the EPA and OSHA, at all organizational levels, in developing and carrying out training, data and information exchange, and technical and professional assistance. Also listed as an area of cooperation and coordination is the “referral of alleged violations, and related matters concerning compliance and law enforcement activity to ensure the health and well-being of the Nation's workforce, the general public, and the environment.”

The MOU states that the EPA and OSHA may conduct joint inspections in accordance with an annual joint work plan that identifies areas for joint initiatives. Such inspections may also be scheduled on an ad hoc basis, such as in investigations following accidents or fatalities or injuries to workers resulting from reported activities or situations subject to either EPA or OSHA jurisdiction.

It also states that EPA and OSHA inspectors, in the course of conducting separate inspections, may discover situations involving potential violations of the other agency's laws or regulations. In those instances, referrals to the appropriate office will be undertaken under the following guidelines:

• OSHA and the EPA shall develop a regular system to track and manage referrals of potential violations, allegations of violations, or situations requiring inspection, evaluation, or follow-up by either agency.
• Although the EPA does not conduct inspections for occupational safety, in the course of an EPA inspection, EPA personnel may identify safety concerns within the area of OSHA responsibility or may receive complaints about the safety or health of employees related to their working conditions. While EPA inspectors are not to perform the role of OSHA inspectors, the EPA will bring the matter to the attention of OSHA-designated contacts in the regional office. In the case of worker complaints, the EPA will disclose the name of individuals to OSHA but will not further disclose the name and the identity of the employee.
• OSHA will inform the EPA regional administrator or appropriate EPA office of matters that appear to be subject to EPA jurisdiction when these come to their attention during federal or state safety and health inspections or through worker complaints. Following are examples of matters that would be reported to the EPA:
• Worker allegations of significant adverse public health or environmental reactions to a chemical or chemical substance; and
• Accidental, unpermitted, or deliberate releases of chemicals or chemical substances beyond the workplace.
• The EPA shall respond to referrals from OSHA, and OSHA shall respond to referrals from the EPA, concerning potential violations of the other agency's requirements, when appropriate, by conducting investigations in a timely manner.
• OSHA will work to facilitate referrals of potential violations of EPA regulations to the EPA and will encourage the relevant state agencies in those states that operate their own occupational safety and health programs also to make such referrals. The EPA will work to facilitate referrals to OSHA or OSHA state-plan states of potential violations of occupational health and safety standards or regulations discovered by federal or state environmental inspection activities.
• The EPA and OSHA will conduct periodic meetings, as necessary, to report on the progress of actions taken on the other agency's referrals and to evaluate the effectiveness of the referral system and operating procedures. Both agencies agree to establish a system to monitor the progress of actions taken on referrals.
• OSHA will encourage state-plan states to respond to referrals from the EPA and state agencies concerning potential violations of the states' occupational safety and health standards or regulations by conducting investigations in a timely manner.

In viewing the EPA-OSHA MOU specifically, and all OSHA MOUs in general, employers should be aware that an inspection by any government entity, including state and local agencies, has the potential to bring a regulatory violation in any area to the attention of the agency with oversight of that area.

Read more on Hot Air Hand Dryers Spread Bathroom Bacteria.

Ban on HFC Refrigerants Adopted

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a regulation prohibiting the use of specific refrigerants known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful chemicals that trap heat in the atmosphere at a rate thousands of times that of carbon dioxide, the most common of the climate-changing gases. The action was taken to preserve and continue in California some of the federal EPA prior prohibitions on HFCs. Last year, a decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals limited EPA’s authority in this area.

“The Board’s action today preserves the federal limits on the use of these powerful chemicals and refrigerants, and provides more certainty to industry,” Board Chair Mary D. Nichols said. "We applaud the actions of many industries, which already have made significant investments in developing and using more climate-friendly alternatives to the high-global warming HFCs.”

California is experiencing the effects of climate change and has committed to take action in order to meet state and federally mandated emissions reduction goals. Under Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), a law authored by Senator Ricardo Lara in 2016, California must reduce HFC emissions by 40% below 2013 levels by 2030. California already has established an approach to reduce super-pollutants, the short-lived climate pollutants that include methane, black carbon and a range of powerful climate-changing chemicals and refrigerants, such as HFCs.

CARB was relying substantially on EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) rules to help meet California’s emission reduction goals for HFCs. HFC emission reductions are important to ensure California ultimately meets its larger climate goals. As a result of the recent court decision, California had to pass its own regulation to ensure it could meet those goals.

The regulation affects certain stationary refrigeration and foam end-uses. It preserves emission reductions from specific sectors with past or shortly upcoming compliance deadlines and will prevent manufacturers from backsliding to start using high-global warming HFCs again. Most manufacturers already have transitioned, or begun the transition, to alternatives that have less of an impact on climate, that is, substances with much lower global warming potential.

The regulation adopted today applies mainly to equipment manufacturers, which cannot use prohibited HFCs in new refrigeration equipment or foams. Prohibited HFCs cannot be used in new equipment and materials in California for the following end-uses:

• Supermarkets and Remote Condensing Units, which are small refrigeration systems used by convenience stores;
• Refrigerated Food Processing & Dispensing Equipment, for example Slurpee machines and frozen yogurt dispensers;
• Stand-alone, or small self-contained refrigeration units;
• Refrigerated vending machines; and
• Foams used in buildings and other places.

Also under the new regulations, manufacturers are responsible for a disclosure statement that must certify the product uses only compliant refrigerants or foam expansion agents. The regulation makes some of the partially vacated SNAP prohibitions enforceable in California, and will lead to in an estimated 3.4 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emission reductions annually by 2030. While more reductions are necessary for California to meet its legal mandate imposed by SB 1383, this regulation is a good start.

San Diego Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training 

Register for California Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in San Diego, CA, on April 10-12 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Virginia Beach Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Virginia Beach, VA, on April 17-19 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

St Louis Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training 

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in St Louis, MO on May 8-10 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Read more on Ban on HFC Refrigerants Adopted.

Environmental Review Process Accelerated for Infrastructure Projects

Twelve federal agencies, including the EPA, signed the One Federal Decision Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU establishes a coordinated and timely process for environmental reviews of major infrastructure projects.

The MOU reduces the environmental review and permitting process for major infrastructure projects. Under the MOU, a lead federal agency will be designated to guide each major infrastructure project through the environmental review and permitting process. It directs federal agencies to agree on a permitting timeline with the goal of completing the entire process within two years, to work together to conduct environmental review and authorization decisions concurrently, and to develop a single record of decision.

This MOU supports President Trump’s One Federal Decision (OFD) policy established in Executive Order 13807. The E.O. directed the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Council on Environmental Quality to develop a framework for implementing the OFD policy. EPA and the other federal agencies have agreed to an unprecedented level of cooperation that will allegedly lead to better-informed permitting decisions about major infrastructure projects in a more timely and transparent manner. Following the procedures outlined in the MOU, federal agencies will work together to eliminate duplication and costly delays within the environmental review and permitting process.

In addition to EPA, the MOU was signed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.

St Louis Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training


Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in St Louis, MO on May 8-10 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Hilton Head Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Hilton Head, SC on May 22-24 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Baton Rouge Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Baton Rouge, LA on June 5-7 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

First State Controlled Underground Injection Control Program to Store CO2 Approved

EPA announced it has approved the State of North Dakota’s request to implement and enforce its own Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. This marks the first time any state has received primacy for Class VI UIC wells, which are used for the long-term storage of carbon dioxide captured from industrial and energy related sources.

“The State of North Dakota is a proven partner in the safe and responsible development of our country’s natural resources,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We are practicing cooperative federalism and increasing the state’s involvement in local environmental protection. EPA will work with the state to ensure a smooth transition and that all North Dakotans continue to have safe drinking water.”

After taking public comments and conducting a thorough review, EPA determined that the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) was capable of enforcing its Class VI UIC program in a manner consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and all applicable regulations to protect underground sources of drinking water. EPA’s approval allows NDIC to implement and enforce its Class VI program and issue Class VI permits. EPA will continue to administer the UIC Program for wells on Indian lands per the SDWA.

Read more on Environmental Review Process Accelerated for Infrastructure Projects.

Lower Fuel Economy Standards Ahead

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the completion of the Midterm Evaluation (MTE) process for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025, and his final determination that, in light of recent data, the current standards are not appropriate and should be revised. Administrator Pruitt also announced the start of a joint process with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop a notice and comment rulemaking to set more appropriate GHG emissions standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA sets national standards for vehicle tailpipe emissions of certain pollutants. Through a CAA waiver granted by EPA, California can impose stricter standards for vehicle emissions of certain pollutants than federal requirements. The California waiver is being reexamined by EPA.

“Cooperative federalism doesn’t mean that one state can dictate standards for the rest of the country. EPA will set a national standard for greenhouse gas emissions that allows auto manufacturers to make cars that people both want and can afford — while still expanding environmental and safety benefits of newer cars. It is in America's best interest to have a national standard, and we look forward to partnering with all states, including California, as we work to finalize that standard,” said Administrator Pruitt.

As part of the 2012 rulemaking establishing the model year 2017-2025 light-duty vehicle GHG standards, EPA made a regulatory commitment to conduct a MTE of the standards for MY 2022-2025 no later than April 1, 2018. This evaluation would determine whether the standards remain appropriate or should be made more, or less stringent.

EPA and the DOT announced a reestablishment of the MTE process in March 2017. And, in August 2017, EPA reopened the regulatory docket and asked for additional information and data relevant to assessing whether the GHG emissions standards remain appropriate, including information on: consumer behavior, feedback on modeling approaches, and assessing advanced fuels technologies. EPA also held a public hearing on this topic.

Virginia Beach Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Virginia Beach, VA, on April 17-19 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

St Louis Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training 

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in St Louis, MO on May 8-10 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Hilton Head Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Hilton Head, SC on May 22-24 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

New Report on Threats of Chemical Disasters

Community, environmental, health, workers, and scientist groups released a report highlighting their concerns about the EPA’s delay of the Chemical Disaster Rule. The one-year review spotlighted some of the serious chemical incidents that have occurred while the rule has been on hold over the last year.

The report outlines dozens of examples of chemical disasters that have occurred since the rule was first delayed, including the Arkema explosion that took place in Texas in August 2017 and the ExxonMobil Refinery fire in Louisiana in November 2017. The report also details the personal accounts of those who found themselves in harm’s way, but as local communities often do not receive complete or timely information regarding the flames they see and odors they smell coming from oil refineries and other chemical facilities, these incidents provide only part of the picture. No comprehensive list is available of all of the incidents or resulting harm that have occurred at covered facilities during the delay in part because EPA has not released such a list.

The EPA reported that about 177 million Americans live in the worst-case scenario zones for chemical disasters.  At least one in three schoolchildren attends a school within the vulnerability zone of a hazardous facility, as well. The percentage of African Americans living in fence line zones around 3,433 of the most dangerous facilities is 75% greater than for the US. as a whole, and the percentage of Latinos in these zones is 60% greater.

The Chemical Disaster Rule includes much-needed improvements to the EPA’s Clean Air Act Risk Management Program (RMP) and would prevent and reduce chemical disasters, hazardous releases and resulting chemical exposures, while strengthening emergency preparedness and coordination with local first responders. When developing the rule, the EPA determined that prior protections failed to prevent over 2,200 chemical accidents around the country during a 10-year period, including about 150 incidents per year that caused reportable harm.

The frequency of toxic releases and constant threat of fires and explosions increase even more during hurricane season in the Gulf, where there is a large concentration of oil refineries and chemical facilities. Many of these reported toxic releases and other safety problems during Hurricane Harvey in August. The next hurricane season is scheduled to begin in the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on June 1, 2018, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center, but the Chemical Disaster Rule remains delayed.

Read more on Lower Fuel Economy Standards Ahead.

New Information on Chemically Induced Hearing Loss

Each year, about 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. Over 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to chemicals, some of which are harmful to the ear (ototoxic) and hazardous to hearing. In addition to damaging workers’ quality of life, occupational hearing loss carries a high economic price to society.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and OSHA published a bulletin, titled “Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Chemical (Ototoxicity) and Noise Exposure,” warning of a potentially serious workplace hazard. The bulletin provides recommendations to employers and safety professionals about identifying ototoxicants in the workplace and establishing hearing conservation programs in workplaces where these chemicals cannot be replaced.

The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for occupational noise exposure is 85 decibels, A-weighted, as an 8-hour time-weighted average (85 dBA as an 8-hr TWA) using a 3-dB exchange rate. Exposures at or above this level are considered hazardous.

Use the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls to reduce workplace noise to below the NIOSH REL whenever possible. Use hearing protection when hazardous noise levels cannot be adequately reduced.

Virginia Beach Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training 

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Virginia Beach, VA, on April 17-19 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

St Louis Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training 

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in St Louis, MO on May 8-10 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Hilton Head Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Hilton Head, SC on May 22-24 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

New Nanotechnology Workplace Design Recommendations

NIOSH recently launched four new products intended to provide options to companies for controlling possible exposure of their workers to nanomaterials on the job. The documents provide recommendations on minimizing exposures during common processes and tasks.

• Protecting Workers during the Handling of Nanomaterials
• Protecting Workers during Nanomaterial Reactor Operations
• Protecting Workers during Intermediate and Downstream Processing of Nanomaterials
• Questions to Ask Before You Start Working with Nanomaterials

Read more on New Information on Chemically Induced Hearing Loss.

When to Mark "Not Restricted" on an Air Waybill [IATA 8.2.6]

When you ship dangerous goods by air, 49 CFR 171.22 authorizes you to ship in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) technical instructions incorporated by the International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR).

According to IATA DGR 8.2.6, when shipping articles or substances that could be suspected of being dangerous goods, but do not meet the criteria for any of the IATA hazard classes or divisions, these materials can be shipped as not restricted, provided the words “Not Restricted” are included in the description of the article or substance on the Air Waybill. When you place this statement on an Air Waybill, you are indicating that you have determined that the shipment is not a dangerous good.

For example, if you ship a dilute sulfuric acid solution by air, you can have the solution tested in accordance with the test criteria specified in IATA sections 3.8.2 and 3.8.3 to determine if it meets the criteria for a Class 8. If the sulfuric acid solution is found not to meet the definition of a Class 8 corrosive and if it does not meet any other hazard class criteria, it is not restricted. And the “Not Restricted” entry is required on the Air Waybill in accordance with IATA DGR 8.2.6.

For many dangerous goods, a special provision indicated in column M of the IATA Dangerous Goods List indicates that they can qualify as being not restricted. In these cases, the entry “Not Restricted” along with the special provision number must be entered on the Air Waybill indicating that a special provision referenced in column M of the Dangerous Goods List for that dangerous good has been applied to the shipment.

For example, special provision A98 appears in column M of the Dangerous Goods List for “Aerosols, non-flammable.” Special provision A98 defines certain non-flammable aerosols that are not regulated in air transportation and requires that “Not Restricted” and the special provision number be entered on the Air Waybill accompanying the shipment of non-regulated aerosols.

IATA DGR 8.2.6 also indicates that the entry of “Not Restricted” be indicated on the Air Waybill, or an alternative transport document, when packages bearing a Globally Harmonized System (GHS) pictogram are offered for transportation but do not contain materials meeting the definition of dangerous goods.

To ensure that your dangerous goods are shipped properly, attend Environmental Resource Center’s IATA: How to Ship Dangerous Goods by Air seminar, IATA: How to Ship Dangerous Goods by Air – Webcast, or IATA Dangerous Goods Update – Webcast.

Highest Rated DOT Hazmat Training

Training is required for all employees who the DOT classifies as Hazmat Employees. Anyone responsible for the safe transportation of hazardous materials, such as those who are involved in packaging, labeling, loading, unloading, completing shipping papers, or providing emergency information must be trained. Environmental Resource Center training is available on-site, and at conveniently located seminars, instructor-led webcasts, or self-paced online training.

Upcoming Seminars

San Diego – California Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Training
April 10-12

Philadelphia – Hazardous Waste and DOT Training
April 10-12

Virginia Beach – Hazardous Waste and DOT Training
April 17-19

Raleigh – DOT, IATA, and HAZWOPER Training
April 17-19 and May 14-16

Atlanta – Hazardous Waste and DOT Training
April 24-25

Charlotte – Hazardous Waste, DOT, and SARA Training
May 2-3

St. Louis – Hazardous Waste and DOT Training
May 8-10

Hilton Head – Hazardous Waste and DOT Training
May 22-24

Special offers for Reg of the Day™ readers: Register for any of the classes listed above and you can take advantage of offers 1 and 2 or 1 and 3.

      1. Register two attendees at full price and each additional person attends the same class for half price.
      2. Save $100 off your registration when you register for both Hazardous Waste and DOT training  in the same city.
      3. Register for both Hazardous Waste and DOT training in the same city and get an Amazon Fire  HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. The Amazon Fire offer is only available by phone. Call 800-537-2372 and mention the Amazon Fire offer. Only one tablet per student per 12-month period. Students receiving tablets will not receive paper versions of our handbooks. Payment must be made prior to the date of the seminar. You will receive your tablet at the class. This offer can be combined with offer #1, but cannot be combined with offer #2 above, or any discounts, promotions, or refunds.

 Eligible government organizations and agencies: Call Environmental Resource Center for GSA discounts.

Read more on When to Mark "Not Restricted" on an Air Waybill [IATA 8.2.6] .

EPA Proposal Will Ease Emission Standards for Refineries

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has proposed amendments to the Petroleum Refinery Sector Risk and Technology Review and the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). According to EPA, these technical corrections provide both regulatory clarity for refineries and possible cost savings up to $11.5 million.

After receiving three separate petitions for reconsideration on the final December 1, 2015 Refinery Sector Rule, EPA is taking action to address concerns regarding the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants requiring Maximum Available Control Technology standards, and NSPS for petroleum refineries. The proposed amendments specifically provide technical corrections that clarify the requirements for work practice standards, recordkeeping, and reporting.

New Orleans Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training 

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in New Orleans, LA, on April 3-5 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

San Diego Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training

Register for California Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in San Diego, CA, on April 10-12 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

Virginia Beach Hazardous Waste and DOT Hazardous Materials Training 

Register for Hazardous Waste Management and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course in Virginia Beach, VA, on April 17-19 and save $100 or receive an Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet with electronic versions of both handbooks. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 800-537-2372.

EPA to Broaden Representation on Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals

The EPA moved to appoint additional members to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). This will increase the balance of scientific perspectives and add experts with experience in labor, public interest, animal protection, and chemical manufacturing and processing to the committee. The committee is tasked with providing independent advice on science and technical issues to assist EPA in implementing the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

These additional 11 members will supplement the 18 members appointed in January 2017. After further considering the objectives and scope of activities of the committee, EPA decided it was necessary to add to the SACC membership to be consistent with the statutory requirements. The Agency used public comments it received to decide on additional committee members.

Under TSCA, the SACC is required to include representatives from multiple sectors, including:  science, government, labor, public health, public interest, animal protection, and industry. It can also include others the EPA Administrator determines to be advisable, including representatives that have specific expertise in the relationship of chemical exposures to women, children and other potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations.

Free New Jersey Air Compliance & Enforcement Training/Outreach Seminar

This free event will provide attendees with information on a variety of topics relating to Air Pollution regulations in New Jersey. Join NJ DEP staff in the morning for a discussion of common issues found with on-line submittals, as well as how to submit penalty payments electronically. There will also be an update on what’s new in the General Permit world, along with a presentation focused on what equipment or processes need an air permit. The morning session will conclude with a discussion on what boiler derating is and how to obtain a permit for it.

The afternoon session will cover the recent Air Rule Adoptions made in 2017, including the rule updates for storage tanks. The session will end with a presentation regarding common control and an opportunity for Q&A/compliance assistance. Come with specific questions that pertain to your facility’s air pollution issues such as process changes, new installations, potential permit/rule violations, etc. The Agency will have staff available to answer your specific questions and/or guide you in resolving your issues.

The Department is providing this free seminar from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the New Jersey Forensic Science Technology Center 1200 Negron Drive, Hamilton, NJ.

Limited seating, please reserve your seat by completing a registration at this link. For problems with registration, contact ACEacademy@dep.nj.gov.

Owner of Precious Metal Recycler Charged with Unpermitted Storage of Hazardous Waste

United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Marian Walas with storage of hazardous waste without a permit, in violation of the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA). If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $50,000 per day of the violation. Walas was arrested in Atlanta on February 14, 2018.

According to the indictment, Walas was the president and manager of Rincat LLC (now defunct), a business that recycled automotive catalytic converters to recover the precious metal catalysts, mostly consisting of platinum, palladium, and rhodium. This recycling process generated hazardous waste, including chloride, sulfuric acid, and various heavy metals. Between August and December 2010, Walas allegedly stored this hazardous, corrosive, and toxic waste at a warehouse in Lakeland for a period more than 90 days without a permit issued by the EPA or the state of Florida, as required by the RCRA.

Specifically, between March and June 2010, Walas/Rincat hired a waste disposal company to remove eight loads (37,150 gallons) of hazardous waste from Rincat’s warehouse. On June 15, 2010, there were at least 21 containers of hazardous waste present. Walas/Rincat were evicted from the warehouse by the property owner on August 24, 2010. The following month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) discovered approximately 38,550 gallons of hazardous waste left behind at the warehouse. Thereafter, the property owner worked with FDEP to properly dispose of the hazardous waste at a total cost of approximately $83,000.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the EPA and the FDEP. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel George and Kelley Howard-Allen.

Read more on EPA Proposal Will Ease Emission Standards for Refineries.