Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been under pressure to update and better manage its Clean Air Act Risk Management Program and is moving ever closer to a proposed rule that will modify the program. The Agency continues to scrutinize facilities that are required to have risk management plans. Today we will review a […]
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 […]
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 […]
On June 30, 2007, workers at a Little General gas station and convenience store in Ghent, West Virginia, were transferring propane from an existing propane tank (that did not meet safety codes) to a new propane tank (that did meet safety codes). During the transfer, the old tank began to leak flammable propane vapor. The […]
Terry Reynolds, a 55-year-old Kansas homeowner, just wanted to relight the pilot light of his propane water heater on August 6, 2009. Unfortunately, the propane tank was leaking heavier-than-air propane gas into the water heater’s enclosure, and instead of lighting the pilot, Reynolds blew his house off its foundation and suffered burns over more than […]
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.
Are reverse distribution operations moving forward for retailers? If you manage a retail operation, you are confronted with waste and hazardous materials problems that can be confusing for even the most seasoned manager. Today we will look at reverse distribution and how even one of the largest retailers with legal and environmental health and safety […]
The 2015 Definition of Solid Waste Final Rule (2015 Final Rule) does not significantly affect the recycling exemption from full RCRA Subtitle C regulation found at 40 CFR 266.70 for precious metals being reclaimed in accordance with the 40 CFR 266.70 provisions. When in the process of revising the 2008 DSW rule, however, EPA did […]
The RCRA used oil management standards can serve as a road map to guide used oil handlers (generators, transporters, burners, marketers, processors, and re-refiners) through the various storage, recordkeeping, and cleanup procedures to ensure used oil is handled safely. The used oil regulations are based on the presumption that used oil (i.e., oil contaminated by […]