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On July 21, 2023, the EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register that removes the “emergency” affirmative defense provisions from the EPA’s Title V operating permit program regulations. Title V background The Title V program requires major sources of air pollutants, and certain other sources, to obtain and operate in compliance with an […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) updated National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECIs), which continue the EPA’s focus on reducing risks of accidental releases at industrial and chemical facilities. For the first time, the EPA’s initiatives emphasize inspecting and addressing noncompliance at facilities that use […]
An international automotive services franchisor faces $256,707 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties for one willful and 12 serious safety and health violations at its franchised Take 5 Car Wash location in Beechwood, Ohio, the agency announced September 7. Take 5 Car Wash is a franchised automotive service center of Driven Brands, whose […]
A Stafford, Texas, engine components manufacturer faces $298,250 in proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties for 2 repeat and 14 new serious violations, the agency announced August 31. OSHA cited Air Starter Components Inc. with two repeat violations for failing to adjust bench grinders properly and not posting 2022 injury and illness logs, […]
On August 29, 2023, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States (WOTUS)” to conform with the recent U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision in Sackett v. EPA. Having a clear and defensible definition of WOTUS is critical for Clean […]
On August 30, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced proposed changes to its regulations for workplace inspections (88 Fed. Reg. 59793). The proposed rule would clarify provisions and requirements for employee representatives during agency inspectors’ workplace walkarounds. The proposed rule would clarify that employees may authorize another employee or a nonemployee third party […]
On July 27, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) cleared yet another legal hurdle for the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), a 303-mile pipeline with capacity to carry 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily from northern West Virginia to southern Virginia. The reprieve, while only temporary, may give the project enough time to […]
The EPA recently released a new resource for federal, state, tribal, and local government enforcement practitioners to use during all stages of environmental enforcement and compliance monitoring activities designed to eliminate harmful exposures to lead paint in housing. The Environmental Justice Toolkit for Lead Paint Enforcement Programs is a compilation of best practices and supports […]
In July 2023, the EPA proposed stronger requirements for the removal of lead-based paint (LBP) hazards in pre-1978 buildings and childcare facilities. Although LBP was banned for residential use by the federal government in 1978, it’s estimated that more than 31 million pre-1978 houses still contain LBP and more than 3 million of them have […]
EHS Daily Advisor’s EHS Leadership Week ran from August 21-25. Let’s take a look back at the content that became available throughout the week which was designed around EHS leadership to help organizations plan and execute EHS leadership initiatives. Monday Back to Basics | Worker Participation Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important […]