EPA Adds New PFAS to Drinking Water Treatability Database
On May 19, 2021, the EPA announced it has added treatment information on 11 new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to its Drinking Water Treatability Database (TDB).
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EPA National Enforcement Mission May Be Compromised by Staffing, Safety Concerns
In a report dated May 12, 2021, the EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded that the Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training (OCEFT) and its National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) continue to struggle with safety concerns and staffing constraints, which may jeopardize the offices’ ability to achieve their mission of holding criminal polluters […]
Brownfields: A Look at Designations, Funding, and Usage
The dictionary describes a brownfield as a former industrial or commercial site where future use is negatively impacted due to real or perceived environmental contamination. According to the EPA, there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the United States.
COVID-19 Policies in Flux at Federal, State Levels
Federal and state workplace safety and health authorities have yet to provide employers with clear guidance after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted recommendations for face coverings and social distancing for people fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Walking-Working Surfaces, HazCom Clarifications Proposed by OSHA
On May 20, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed changes to its walking-working surfaces standards (29 CFR §§1910.28 and 1910.29) to clarify which handrail and stair rail system requirements apply to new stair rail systems (86 FR 27332). The agency also scheduled an informal hearing to discuss proposed changes to the hazard communication […]
Ask the Expert: Are There Safety Standards for Wet Floor Signage?
As some workers prepare for a potential return to offices and other facilities in the near future, it’s time for EHS professionals to again consider common facility hazards facing personnel—including slip hazards from wet floors. What are the references, standards, and/or available resources regarding “wet floor” signage? See what EHS Hero® experts had to say.
How to Conduct a Performance Review for EHS Employees
It is par for the course across organizations to conduct a performance review. This is the best way for a company to grow and better itself, but how does one conduct reviews effectively?
Benefit-Cost Rule Rescinded by EPA
On May 13, 2021, the EPA announced it is rescinding the “Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process,” also known as the Benefit-Cost Rule. The rule was categorized as “unnecessary.”
NSC Weighs in on Updated COVID-19 Guidance from CDC
On May 14, the National Safety Council (NSC) expressed cautious support for updated COVID-19 recommendations for fully vaccinated people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC stated on May 13 that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or maintain physical distance from others in any indoor or […]
EPA Rescinds Rule on Guidance Documents
The EPA issued a final rule on May 21, 2021, rescinding its October 18, 2020, rulemaking that established the Agency’s procedures for issuing, modifying, withdrawing, and using guidance documents.