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Replace Ladders With Low-Level Access Lifts

Did you know that every time you or one of your workers uses a ladder (keep in mind, there is a wide range of ladders being used on job sites today, including single-sided stepladders, twin stepladders, podium stepladders and platform stepladders, as well as stationary and rolling scaffolding), you’re risking racking up thousands of dollars […]

EPA Releases 2021 TRI Analysis

The EPA released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis on March 16, 2023. The analysis data reveals that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels, and releases in 2021 are 10% lower than 2012 releases, even with an 8% increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, […]

white house

A Look at EPA Deregulation Related to Pandemic Relief EO

Executive Order (EO) 13924, issued in response to COVID-19 by President Donald Trump on May 19, 2020, authorized federal agencies to provide regulatory relief to support recovery of the economy. Trump characterized this order as giving agencies “tremendous power” to cut regulations seen to hinder economic recovery.

Study: Emergency Department Use Among Injured Workers Varied By State

There was substantial variation across states in the rates of emergency department (ED) use among workers seeking care for new injuries between 2019 and 2021, according to a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The study, Initial Medical Treatment at Emergency Department or Physician Office: Interstate Comparisons and Early COVID-19 Impact—A WCRI […]

An Urban Stormwater Success Story in the Making

An Urban Stormwater Success Story in the Making It’s been said that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but sometimes that grease can also get the wheel turning faster, as was the case in Omaha, Nebraska. Like many urban areas, the city had experienced adverse impacts from stormwater runoff, including one event when stormwater caused […]

COVID-19 Designated ‘Airborne Infectious Disease’ Under New York’s HERO Act

On September 6, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the state health commissioner had formally designated COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health” under the state’s Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act). The Act imposes significant occupational health and safety obligations on […]

Scientific research

The Differing Views on Environmental Science and Regulation

The EPA’s Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science proposal occupies a mere 7 pages in the Federal Register (April 30, 2018), and yet, among scientists, human health and environmental groups, and certain industry organizations, the proposal has been the subject of intense discussion. Congress has also been weighing in on the merits of the proposal.

EPA’s Audit Policy—Nine Things to Remember

EPA’s Audit Policy—Nine Things to Remember The EPA promulgated the first Audit Policy in 1995 and revised it in 2000, expanding availability, clarifying language, and conforming to Agency practices. Today, it remains a valuable option for regulated facilities to take advantage of benefits such as elimination or reductions in civil “gravity-based” penalties, no recommendations for […]