EPA Agrees to Improve Grants Management
In a new report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) states that EPA’s discretionary grants program needs improvement in several areas.
Category: EHS Administration
Public Comments Requested on GHG Draft Inventory
The EPA is requesting public comments on its Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2015. The Draft Inventory contains estimates of U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) emissions.
OSHA’s Antiretaliation Program Guidelines: Protecting Workers’ Right to Report
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has long administered the whistleblower protection programs for itself and other federal agencies. If a worker speaks up about regulatory compliance issues or safety, and suffers a change in work status, OSHA will investigate to determine whether the change resulted from illegal retaliation. But OSHA doesn’t just want […]
Federal Railroad Administration Reminds Workers that OSHA Standards Apply to Them
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is not the only agency that makes rules protecting worker safety and health. Nuclear plants, for example, are subject to the rules of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); airlines are subject to safety rules issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Railroads, too, have their own safety […]
Workplace Injury? The Buck Stops with You
One of the most confusing tasks for environment, health, and safety (EHS) managers has to do with recording and reporting workplace injuries. Sometimes, it is very clear when a workplace injury occurs—and sometimes, it is not so easy. In a recent letter of interpretation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) did not shed much […]
Is Your Worker’s Compensation Insurer Defrauding You?
You’re probably on the lookout for workers who file fraudulent workers’ compensation claims—but how carefully are you watching your insurer? There has been a great deal of emphasis on claimant fraud, healthcare provider fraud, and employer fraud in the workers’ compensation system, but insurer fraud has received relatively little attention.
EPA Cracks Down on Counterfeiters: Don’t Buy Fake Environmental Credits
In 2005, President George W. Bush signed a law creating the Renewable Fuel Standard program. The program requires fuel producers to incorporate specific target amounts of renewably-produced ethanol or biodiesel into their products. Unfortunately, the way the system was set up enabled shady biodiesel producers to sell counterfeit credits to producers who needed to make […]
Con Man Sentenced in Fraudulent Waste Disposal Ploy: Don’t Fall for Nondelivery Schemes
In August, our Daily Advisor covered the story of Welch Environmental Group—a South Carolina company indicted for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Clean Air Act (CAA) violations after the company was caught melting spent ammunition from firing ranges in open cauldrons in the South Carolina woods. Prior to his indictment, company president Glenn […]
Safety Specialist Offers Top 5 Strategies for Improving Safety
With all the different risks and hazards to keep track of, it’s hard to isolate the most important factors in keeping your people safe on the job. Keep reading to see what one safety pro suggests. You may be surprised at his choices.
Training Records: A Source for Leading Indicators
It’s important to keep thorough training records because they help to demonstrate your compliance with environment, health, and safety (EHS) regulatory requirements. But that’s not the only use you can make of your training records.