Month: November 2014

Settlement Will Substantially Slash Sulfuric Acid Emissions from Fertilizer Production Plants

By Clare Condon Nov 28, 2014 Environmental Permitting

Updated: Aug 22, 2017

Settlement Will Substantially Slash Sulfuric Acid Emissions from Fertilizer Production Plants In a recent settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), three subsidiaries of the world’s largest fertilizer manufacturer will spend an estimated $50 million to reduce sulfuric acid (SO2) emissions at eight plants in Louisiana, […]

After the Flood: UST Response Tips

By Clare Condon Nov 27, 2014 Special Topics in Environmental Management

Updated: Aug 22, 2017

After the Flood: UST Response Tips Floods can be devastating events, causing billions of dollars in damage. When USTs are impacted by flooding, the damage can include releases of a variety of UST contents into the environment, adding to the destruction and the costs for USTs’ owners and operators. When a UST has been in […]

Protect workers from the 5 most common hazards of MIG welding

By Jennifer Busick Nov 27, 2014 Welding Cutting and Brazing

Updated: Nov 27, 2014

A 48-year-old shipyard welder was welding on a barge that was undergoing renovation, working from an elevating work platform. A pinhole leak developed in the hydraulic lines on the lift, and the escaping hydraulic oil was ignited by sparks from the welding operation. The worker was taken to a burn unit, but later died.

Before the Flood: UST Prep Tips

By Clare Condon Nov 26, 2014 Special Topics in Environmental Management

Updated: Aug 22, 2017

Before the Flood: UST Prep Tips One of the greatest natural threats affecting the United States is flooding that can result from a variety of events—from heavy rain to earthquakes and tsunamis to hurricanes. Floods can also result from man-made events like dam and levee breaches and poor stormwater management. Knowing what can happen and […]

Deadly Lockout/Tagout Mistakes, Part 2: Where’s the Power?

By Jennifer Busick Nov 25, 2014 Lockout-Tagout

Updated: Nov 25, 2014

A 26-year-old knitting machine operator needed to make an adjustment to the machine. The machine had interlocks that stopped it when its safety gate was opened—but the interlocks were easily disabled, and the worker simply stuck a needle in the “on” button so that he could open the gates and adjust the machine while it […]

2014 TSCA Work Plan Assessment Update

By Clare Condon Nov 24, 2014 Chemicals

Updated: Aug 22, 2017

2014 TSCA Work Plan Assessment Update—How It Works In the beginning, back in 2012, the EPA first used several sources to identify chemicals meeting prioritization factor criteria as potential candidates for review, a process that initially identified 1,235 chemicals. Next, the chemicals were screened to determine if any chemicals should be excluded due to other […]

Are Your Workers Making These Deadly Lockout/Tagout Mistakes?

By Jennifer Busick Nov 24, 2014 Lockout-Tagout

Updated: Nov 24, 2014

A 52-year-old welder was removing a jammed piece of metal from the hydraulic door of a scrap metal shredder but did not de-energize and lock out the shredder first. He also failed to release the residual hydraulic energy in the system and block the door open.

EPA Announces Second Largest Civil Penalty for Alleged CWA Violations

By Clare Condon Nov 21, 2014 Special Topics in Environmental Management

Updated: Aug 22, 2017

EPA Levies Second Largest Civil Penalty for Alleged CWA Violations In a joint enforcement action announced in September 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) settled with a West Virginia-based oil and natural gas company for multiple violations of the CWA. […]