Tag: EHS
Universal Wastes: How Long Can You Keep Them and How Are They Tracked?
Both small and large quantity handlers of universal waste must comply with an accumulation time limit of 1 year for storing universal wastes. A permit is not required. The accumulation period is measured from the time the waste is either generated (the date it becomes a waste) or received from another universal waste handler. Universal […]
Getting a Handle on Handling Universal Wastes
The goal of EPA‘s universal waste rule (40 CFR 273) is to reduce the amount of hazardous waste items in the municipal solid waste wastestream and encourage recycling and proper disposal of certain common or widely generated hazardous wastes. Wastes regulated under the universal waste rules include: Batteries Pesticides Thermostats Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps […]
Important International Regulations for 2012
According to Ana, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) says industry should start preparing for the next big REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and restriction of Chemicals) registration deadline. Companies manufacturing or importing chemicals in Europe—in quantities at or above 100 tons per year—are required to register such substances with ECHA by May 31, 2013. Enhance the […]
SPCC Q&As: Part I
Will a PE certification be required if active secondary containment measures are utilized instead of permanent measures? In general, the answer is “no,” but there are a couple of caveats. For secondary containment for permanent storage containers, such as bulk storage containers like tanks, you do have to have permanent secondary containment for those kinds […]
Will You Do the Time for an Enviro Crime?
EPA’s Criminal Enforcement Division (CID) has changed priorities in recent years and has been seeking prosecution of individual defendants as high up the corporate hierarchy as there is evidence. For this the Agency offers one simple reason–corporate managers will think twice about deliberately breaking the law if they understand that they face jail time and […]
When to Update Your SWPPP
Like many other EHS plans, the SWPPP is a living document that should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Whenever you find the need to change a procedure that is described in your SWPPP or to modify a control measure described in the plan, you must update the SWPPP to reflect those changes. […]
How to Make the Most of Your Online Training Program
EHS trainers love online training because it is: Flexibile–trainees can study the materials at times that are most convenient for them. Self-pacing–trainees can go back and review the material as often as needed in order to understand it. Standardized–all employees view the same materials each time. Despairing ever getting your employees trained? It isn’t easy […]
Survey Uncovers Challenges of EHS Trainers
A few years ago, BLR and the National Environmental, Safety and Health Training Association (NESHTA) surveyed 828 professionals involved in EHS training to profile their responsibilities and current training practices, and the challenges they must overcome to effectively train employees. Many of these issues still ring true and are more pressing, especially things like budgeting […]
Most Misunderstood Regs: The Mercury ‘Beyond-the-Floor’ Standard
Under the CAA’s maximum achievable control technology (MACT) approach to reducing emissions of air toxics, the MACT floor must be at least as stringent as the average emission limitation achieved by the best performing 12 percent of existing sources in the category (for which EPA has emissions information) or the best performing 5 sources for […]