Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Having an OSHA-compliant training program is the key to reducing injury and illness in the workplace, as well as improving productivity, morale, and the bottom line while reducing the risk of citations and costly fines. In a BLR webinar entitled "Safety Training: Implement Effective Worker Education To Boost Compliance and Prevent Injuries," speaker Michael Lawrence […]
In November 2011, EPA closed public comment on a rule concerning the disposal of coal combustion residuals from electricity-producing facilities, first proposed in 2010. EPA is considering two possible options for the management of coal ash. Under the first proposal, EPA would list these residuals as special wastes subject to regulation under Subtitle C of […]
You want a maximum return on your safety training investment. That means making sure training is properly structured, tailored to the audience, and focused on specific goals. The difference between great workplace training and just adequate instruction can be the difference between health and illness, protection and injury, and even life and death in some […]
Secondary containment requirements for new and replaced tanks and piping Operator training requirements Periodic operation and maintenance requirements for UST systems New release prevention and detection technologies The amendments will also remove certain deferrals; update codes of practice; and update state program approval requirements to incorporate these new changes.
If you’re like most EHS managers, you’re increasingly concerned these days about defending the value and cost-effectiveness of training programs. You need to get good value for your safety training dollars. In the context of training, "cost-effective" means providing solutions to identified needs (compliance, safety, etc.) at a cost that is a good value for […]
In 2012, EPA will continue to require manufacturers and processors of existing chemicals to test their chemicals for health and environmental effects and submit the data to the Agency. Chemicals produced in annual volumes above 1 million pounds are considered High Production Volume or “HPV” chemicals. This subset of HPV chemicals is the main focus […]
In fact a great number of actions are taken against small businesses. Given the immense population of regulated small businesses, EPA and many state agencies have adopted self-audit policies intended to encourage these entities to voluntarily discover, disclose, and correct violations, thereby partly lessening the workload of overextended inspectors. EPA introduced its Policy on Compliance […]
EMS Document Control You have to keep all your EMS-related documents controlled and up to date. Here’s what’s required: All EMS documents must be carefully controlled and be easily accessible to persons who need them. They must be periodically reviewed, revised, and approved by management. Obsolete documents must be promptly removed. For example, there is […]
The ISO focus is more on adopting a set of universally accepted procedures than being in compliance with local or national environmental laws. So, you don’t have to be in full compliance with environmental laws at the time you seek certification, but you must have a set of documented procedures in place that are designed […]
If a compliance officer has cited your facility, ask for suggestions to correct the problems found. Request a copy of the inspection form and the final report when prepared. Prepare your own inspection report. Acknowledge findings of the inspector and confirm promised operation changes in writing, including a list of all cited violations and corrective […]