Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
When we think of people who handle medical waste, workers at healthcare facilities generally come to mind. However, there is a whole array of other folks, from transporters to landfill staff, who could also potentially be exposed to medical waste. As we are all aware, no matter what precautions we take, there is always the […]
Hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are all over the EHS news services lately because of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent proposal establishing specific management requirements for healthcare facilities that generate hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. However, hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are a small percentage of the medical waste that is generated in the United States. Today we offer […]
Within the past year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has completed some of its process safety management (PSM) “action items,” including clarifying parts of the PSM standard and revising its working definition of “retail facilities.” Keep reading to find out what other changes employers can expect to see as OSHA continues to revise […]
In December 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a Request for Information to be used in updating its process safety management (PSM) standard. One of the changes under consideration by OSHA was the addition of a definition for recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP)—a term that is used, but not […]
In the wake of the Chevron Richmond Refinery fire in 2012, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and state agencies have stepped up their process safety management (PSM) recommendations and enforcement efforts. Federal OSHA had already initiated the Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management National Emphasis Program (Refinery NEP) […]
The EPA has released a proposal to improve the efficiency and transparency of hazardous waste shipped into and out of the United States. The new proposal would ensure that all U.S. import/export regulations covering transboundary shipments are consistent with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) regulations
What are the regulatory requirements for making changes on hazardous waste manifests? Your question doesn’t specify whether you are the generator who is preparing the hazardous waste manifest or the designated facility (TSDF) that is receiving the hazardous waste shipment. Assuming you’re the generator, it is the generator’s responsibility to ensure that the shipment is […]
One of the most tedious aspects of an EHS manager’s job is to keep track of a host of records. Don’t get caught without the necessary records in the event of an OSHA or EPA inspection. One of the first things inspectors will ask for is records of compliance. Good recordkeeping indicates to them good […]
How much do you know about RCRA inspections? By law, the U.S. EPA and other RCRA-authorized agencies can enter your premises, examine records, and take samples if you handle hazardous wastes. Don’t get caught unprepared.