Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
On August 26, 2022, the EPA proposed to designate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), including their salts and structural isomers, as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as “Superfund.” These substances are two of the most widely used per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are […]
A recently proposed rule would require facilities located near navigable waters and storing hazardous substances above certain levels to submit Facility Response Plans (FRPs) for worst-case discharges and substantial threats of worst-case discharges of those hazardous substances. “As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, planning and preparedness for these incidents […]
The EPA announced a settlement with Par Hawaii Refining LLC on January 19 that included a $176,899 penalty over Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Clean Air Act (CAA) violations at its oil refining facility in Kapolei, Hawaii. The company’s EPCRA violations included “failures to immediately notify the state emergency response commission and […]
In one of its rare regulatory actions directly affecting the regulated community, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB or the Board) has issued a final rule requiring owners and operators of stationary sources to report information about accidental releases of hazardous substances to the CSB.
In a recent “final action”, the EPA announced that it will not “at this time” promulgate new regulations to prevent spills of hazardous substances (HSs) under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 311.
Fourteen states have responded to the EPA’s June 22, 2018, request to voluntarily submit information about facilities that produce, use, or store hazardous substances (HSs) designated at 40 CFR part 116 (Clean Water Act [CWA] Listed Hazardous Substances), the CWA HS they store, historical discharges of these HSs to waterways, and any state requirements relating […]
In response to a settlement with environmental groups and a court order, the EPA has taken the first step to fulfill its obligation under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 311(j)(1)(C) to issue regulations regarding discharges of hazardous substances from non-transportation-related onshore facilities. Specifically, the EPA is proposing to take no action, that is, promulgate no […]
In a notice and as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA has issued its fourth contaminant candidate list (CCL 4). CCLs comprise contaminants that are not subject to any proposed or promulgated federal drinking water standards, are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems (PWSs), and may require regulation […]
The EPA has issued its first biannual update of its work on a proposal for a final rule that would subject facilities holding hazardous substances to the same requirements applying to facilities holding threshold amounts of oil. The update indicates that the proposal is still in its early stages, and therefore, any views on what […]
In last Friday’s Advisor, we began an overview of safety training topics to keep your employees safe off the job as they perhaps begin to tackle strenuous spring tasks in their homes and yards. Today, we go over a few more off-the-job safety topics. To recap the situation: You already provide formal training in the […]