Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
In 2017, there were 10,000 deaths caused by natural disasters worldwide. And a lot of those occurred while people were on the job. In addition, research shows that the number of recorded natural disasters has increased quite a bit in the past century. So, it’s still critical, perhaps now more than ever, that we’re well-prepared […]
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.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is once again drawing attention to the hazards of combustible dust in the workplace. As part of its investigation into a May 2017 explosion at a milling facility in Cambria, Wisconsin, which fatally injured five workers and demolished the facility, the CSB has issued a call […]
The EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) has stepped away from an earlier policy that created an expectation that in settlements with violators of environmental law and regulation, Agency case teams are expected to make use of “innovative enforcement” tools. The Agency now states that while such tools have proven useful, case teams […]
A spill or release of a chemical just occurred at your facility. What do you do? Does it need to be reported? What information needs to be reported, to whom, and how soon?
According to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation, more than half of adults reported driving while drowsy, with almost a third reporting that they do so at least once per month. Commercial truck drivers, young people, and shift workers are some of the groups at the highest risk of driving while drowsy. Are your […]
The EPA’s enforcement of violations of environmental laws and regulations at federal facilities is a complicated business that has been addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court (Ohio v. United States Department of Energy, 1992, which affirmed federal facility sovereign immunity with respect to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)), presidential Executive Orders, and by […]
Worker participation in industrial chemical accident investigations is a high priority at the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), which recently issued a Board Order Addendum that establishes the CSB’s policy on such participation.
The EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) are investigating thousands of barrels, apparently stored out in the open and containing chemicals, on a Rocky Top property.
Responding to requests from manufacturers and Third-Party Certifiers (TPCs) for additional regulatory clarity, the EPA is proposing a suite of technical amendments to its regulations to control formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. According to the Agency, the proposal would streamline certain required testing and certification provisions required in its final rule (December 13, 2016, […]